Waka Moana

This artwork by senior Ngāti Whātua artist Graham Tipene remembers the historical waka and early boat culture of the Waiatarau (Freemans Bay) area before the land reclamation of the early twentieth century.

To represent two distinct waka styles – Waka Hourua (double-hulled voyaging waka) and Waka Tētē (fishing waka) – Tipene worked with master waka builder Hine Waitai Dye and lead designers LandLAB to make sure the waka forms were accurate.

The finished waka combine ancient and modern craft techniques from both Māori and Pākehā traditions. Made of moulded Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), the nine waka hulls incorporate harakeke (flax) fibre and laminated tōtara. These traditional waka materials are combined using centuries-old European boatbuilding techniques.

Punga stones are mounted inside each waka as anchor stones. Six are designed by Ngāti Whātua artists Caine Toatahi Taihia and Uira Nahi, and three by Ted Ngatakai and Maaka Potini of Ngāti Tamaoho. The lower third of each waka incorporates forms based on pā tūwatawata (defensive palisades), referencing the settlements and numerous pā that once occupied the area.

Completing the waka are moulded toki (adzed) patterns and pūhoro designs. Toki marks are traditionally applied to the hull to 'trap' air and make the waka 'run' faster through the water. Three styles of pūhoro adorn the upper sections of each waka. These designs are traditionally painted on the hull after carving is complete to symbolise speed, swiftness and agility. Tipene invited Janine Williams of Ngāti Pāoa and Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara to design a pūhoro for the last waka in the series in recognition of her and her husband Charles' nearby artwork on the corner of Daldy Street and Pakenham Street.

Waka Moana won a gold award in the Toitanga category at the Best Design Awards 2026.