The words above are used in Polynesia to denote canoe style boats.

WAKA the first term is Maori and is usually associated with Waka Taua that is a WAR CANOE. Usually they are constructed from a large single log and vary in length from 20 metres (63') to 30 metres (96') the longer vessels were usually made by scarfing (Joining a bow and stern piece to make the extra length. Because New Zealand has very large trees, the single hull form was used often. The usual means of propelling Waka Taua was by manpower using paddles. Waka Taua had from 30 up to 80 paddlers. The rhythm was maintained by chants called out by a leader called a Kaitaki. Waka Taua were steered by rear steering paddles and by paddlers using different strokes on each side of the canoe. Today there has been a revival of canoe building in New Zealand with many fine Waka Taua constructed and used on special occasions. There has also been an introduction of outrigger canoe racing called Waka Tere. These racing canoes follow the Tahitian style. They are 14 metres long with a small ama (outrigger) and have six paddlers

VAKA is the name used in Tahiti and these craft are usually double hulled as in outrigger style canoes or as equal length hulls like catamarans. The use of two hulls is a basic Polynesian innovation to give stability to the thin-hulled canoes and to increase the load carrying capacity for trade or voyaging afar to find new islands. The Tahitians favoured a tall vertical sail with the trailing edge higher than the leading edge. This figuration is called a half crab-claw. The larger double-hulled vessels were called Vaka Pahi and the smaller outrigger vessels were called Vaka ama.

VA'A is the term used by the Hawaiians and again like the Tahitians they favoured the double hull style for ocean crossing and the smaller outrigger style for coastal waters and as surfing canoes. The Hawaiians in the 1970's started the renaissance of ocean sailing canoe with the construction and sailing of the now legendary Va'a Hokulea. With the Hokulea came the interest in "Non-instrument navigation. In other words, a revival of the Polynesian ancient art of crossing oceans without any instruments except a profound memory of stars and a keen observation of ocean swells, distant Island signs and a sound knowledge of bird flight patterns. It was this non-instrument navigation that enables the Pacific Islanders to cover over 1 the Pacific Ocean. This was done well before European man had set sail to cross Oceans. Even more remarkable on boats made from tree trucks and held together by bits of rope. Some Polynesian Voyaging canoes like Hokulea have been built from modern materials and some like Hawaikinui and Te Aorere were built using traditional materials. Whatever the method or materials all Voyaging Waka have a magic of their own.





Waka MA-URI is a replicated style Polynesian voyaging double hull canoe. It was created to serve many purposes and will evolve as it is developed. Hem Fox the creator, designer and builder of Waka MA-URI conceived the idea of an easily built Waka that would be useful to get experience in sail a Polynesian style Waka. He also envisaged the project as awaken interest among the Maori in sea going Waka. Another design parameters was to have the Waka so constructed that if a larger and long Waka was needed then Waka MA-URI could be lengthened and so made to serve as an Ocean crossing canoe. Still another reason was to test out the feasibility of have Waka MA-URI as "Flagship" to the MA-URI Institute. Lastly, the Waka was to provide a temporary home during the New Zealand summer for Hemi and his family and for other enthusiasts to enjoy.



The construction is multi-chined marine grade plywood. The plywood is Fijian Kauri and the construction system was "Stitch & glue" using epoxy resin and glass fibre tape and sheathed in glass fibre cloth. The method of construction was unusual in that four 1 hulls were built in an ordinary carport then assembled out on Hemi's mother's front lawn. Most of the assembly was done outdoors without any cover or boat-shed being used. Every time it rained the hulls were covered over with blue "Poly-tarps" and construction carried on under the carport for all the smaller items such as seats, beams, traditional steering oars and spars.
Hem had three helpers in the project. Rudy from Norway, Jimmy Pedersen from Denmark, and his long-time friend Rob Harris from Australia. Strangely enough no members of his tribe offered to help and other Maori seemed reluctant to show an interest.



Waka MA-URI consists of two canoe shaped hulls 9 metres in length. (30ft) The breadth of each hull is 110 centimetres (3'-7"). The height of each hull is 76 centres (2'-6". The Waka draws 25cms (10") of water due to having a flat bottom. This makes it very easy to beach especially on surf beaches.
The overall width of the assembled Waka is 5 metres. (16') and the decking is timber slats.
The steering system is by traditional steering oar hung out over the rear of the Waka. The modern addition to an ancient idea is a 9.9hp Yamaha 4 stroke outboard motor. (Usually referred to as the Yamaha paddlers) Waka MA-URI has several types of sails. First sail was actually a square "VIKING" style sail created for Waka MA-URI in 2000 by women from Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Other sails are the "Maori Sprit" sail and the "Tahitian 1 claw" sail. All sails are very beautiful and exotic to look at. All are used on many special occasions such as Waitangi Celebration Day or other Maori celebrations. The Waka is strongly constructed and each seat compartment is a watertight bulkhead. The bow and stern compartments are "Crash barriers" and designed to flood but not allow water to enter the main hull structure. In other unlike the Titanic, Waka is unsinkable unless you fill it with concrete. This is an important safety feature.



One thing for sure is that Waka MA-URI will change often. It will change its shape, it will change its accommodation arrangements and it will change its function often. When it was first launched on February 2000 at a Maori dawn ceremony, she was equipped with 28 individual seats. It was thought that she should be sightseeing Waka for MA-URI students who come down to New Zealand. During the following year, the Waka under went a major change to have her seats mostly removed and replaced by 4 single cabins. The reason for this was to create a better seaworthy Waka for coastal cruising.
It is proposed in 2003 to cut the Waka MA-URI hulls in half and insert another 7 metres amidships. This will create an over all length of 16 metres. The Waka will contain sleeping for 8 persons in the hulls in separate individual cabins with another four to six bunks in the "Whare" or deckhouse. Another mast and sail system will be added to convert the Waka to "Schooner Rig" for ocean making passages to the other Pacific Islands of Polynesia. This configuration will probably be the last.



Waka MA-URI was also created to provide research into the various systems that were used by the early Polynesians in their epic crossing voyages in the Pacific Ocean. Many answers are yet to be found. The sail systems used by the Polynesians are very unique to the Pacific. The three main types are Polynesian Sprit, The Hawaiian Crab-claw and the Tahitian 1 claw sail. All sail systems are very interesting to explore.
Another interesting aspect of research will be "Non-instrument navigation." This fascinating aspect of Pacific Island people is now emerging as a cultural resurgence. Waka MA-URI will play its part in this endeavour by providing an easy sailing vessel especial to school groups. There is much to learn.



Waka MA-URI though it was the first craft for the MA-URI Institute to be built. It will not be the last. Already on the drawing board of Hem Fox is a larger Polynesian double hull Waka. These will be over 20 metres in length and their purpose is to provide a larger vessel for larger groups to visit Polynesia. A larger vessel will be more comfortable to sail in and will carry more supplies and many more people.



Waka Medics are large 22-24 metre double hull Waka capable of carrying medical teams and supplies to remote Pacific Island people as well as carrying cargoes of educational material to be recycled from mainland schools. Such aids could be redundant reading glasses for senior Islanders or cast out of favour toys and pre-school reading books. Each Waka will be equipped with a medical team and the centre cabin will be used as an operating theatre. The crew will consist of Doctors, nurses, dentists, opticians and educational staff. There are many people in public health service who are willing to swap the daily routine of hospital life for adventure on the high seas where the patients are curious, eager and a delight socially. A once in a lifetime experience that is really a "working holiday" aboard a Polynesian Voyaging canoe.

Kia Ora, Hemi Fox