Jeff Evans - Waka Taua: The Maori War Canoe

The author helping with work on the mighty waka taua Nukutaimemeha, at Whangara.

T he sight of a waka taua being paddled at full speed, the crew putting every last ounce of energy into propelling their craft through the water, is truly impressive. How many people watching such a scene have imagined what it must have been like to be part of a crew racing to attack an enemy pa, or felt a shiver up their spine as they imagined being a defender on land waiting for the onslaught? A waka taua in full flight is a sight to make your heart skip a beat power, beauty and death all rolled into one.

The same feeling of awe is experienced when you see a waka taua up close, whether it be beached during Waitangi Day celebrations or at rest in a museum. Of course you have to show respect for the waka and refrain from touching it without permission , yet you can still see the strength, artistry and skill that the canoe builder possessed. The precision of the joinery, the ingenuity of design, the elegance of the hulls lines and the finish of the carving are all cause for admiration, and create a lasting impression.

Traditionally, as in the present day, waka taua were generally owned by the hapu, or sub-tribe, rather than by an individual. Their construction called on the efforts of many people either directly or indirectly, and really united a community. Expert canoe builders, known as tohunga tarai waka, would oversee the project and often complete the more important aspects of the construction themselves; expert carvers were often contracted in from other tribes to do the finishing work; tohunga, or priests, would be called upon to offer prayers at appropriate times in the construction; workmen would need to dedicate themselves to the project for months on end, often miles from the village and their loved ones; kiekie and other fibrous plants would need to be gathered and woven into sails and rope for lashing, often by the women and elderly; raupo would be collected as caulking material (and in some cases for sails), and kokowai and shark-liver oil as ingredients for the paint; villagers would also have to prepare and cook food for the workers in special ovens separate from the village cooking and so on all the while with the usual everyday needs of village life continuing.

Tohungataraiwakawith ahaumisection,an addition to the hull,nearing completion.The photograph wasprobably taken in theTaupoareaduring the1930s.

(F ATHERJ ANB EEK ;A UCKLAND M USEUM /T EP APAW HAKAHIKU )

A large waka taua could take two years or more to complete, from the selection and cutting of the giant totara or kauri tree to be used for the hull, to the whakainu waka, or launching of the waka. All the while, the success of the project depended upon the tribe working together towards the common goal.

Once completed, the canoe was often available for community uses in addition to its main purpose of transporting warriors to and from battle. Only the most important and tapu canoes were reserved purely for war. Some of the less important waka taua were used for social visits, trading, or even fishing once the carved tauihu and taurapa (prow-and stern-pieces) had been removed and stored.