Two Waka Representatives Participate in the Annual Tribal Canoe Journeys
Noel Woods and Tuparahuia Pita have been selected as Leaders to represent Toi Maori at the Tribal Canoe Journeys 2017 in
British Columbia, Canada with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. Noel and Tuparahuia are both Kaihautu of waka
from Te Whanganui a Tara, Wellington district and are dedicated to kaupapa waka activities within their own communities.
They also have a number of other skills and talents that they will be able to share with their hosts and other tribes
while on the journey.
The Canoe journey exchange with the Grand Ronde has been on-going since 2009 with their members also participating in
the Waitangi Waka Pageants on the 6th February since 2010. 4 members of the Grand Ronde were also recently hosted in
Waiwhetu by previous incumbents Ihaia & Marissa Puketapu and whānau during Te Rā o Te Raukura in February 2017.
Other previous leaders selected to go on the canoe journeys by Toi Maori in the past have also helped along with their
families to host our indigenous whānau before heading north to Waitangi every year.
Both cultures share in the life skills and art form of pulling a canoe together, experiencing all the ups and downs of a
journey. This journey is a course for success for all those involved and produces leaders for the future. Rituals are
exchanged at each Reservation the Canoe Families stop off at. Food is shared in their communal Long Houses. Rituals
begin immediately after with the furthest tribes beginning their ceremonies and continue late in to the night. Noel and
Tuparahuia’s journey to Vancouver begins on the 29 July.
ENDS