The partial remains of a waka have been recently found on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island.
According to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage the waka was discovered by a local family, who informed the ministry of their find.
Glenis Philip-Barbara, Pou Mataaho o Te Hononga Deputy Secretary Māori Crown Partnerships at the Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage said the family was “instrumental” in securing the site and the ongoing monitoring of the waka.
The ministry said it has been “engaging closely” with landowners, Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri, Moriori Imi Settlement Trust, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai to ensure the recovery of the waka is “undertaken appropriately”.
Archaeologists, conservators and other professionals have also been engaged to support this work, the ministry added.
Heritage New Zealand has issued an archaeological authority to Manatū Taonga to allow of the recovery of the visible pieces of the waka that remain in their original place from January 2025.
The Department of Conservation is the owner of the land where the waka was found. It has a regional team on the ground who is also supporting the response.
Heritage New Zealand spokesperson Dan Whiting said the archaeological authority is in place to ensure the recovery of critical information while respecting the involvement of imi and iwi.
“With the vulnerability of the waka to the elements, time is of the essence, and we are committed to facilitating its careful investigation and recovery,” Whiting said.
“Now that the recovery of the waka is underway, the role of Manatū Taonga is to engage with imi and iwi on the processes detailed in the Protected Objects Act 1975. We will work alongside them to provide oversight and support for matters relating to the care, custody and conservation of the waka,” said Philip-Barbara.
“Our focus is on being guided by imi and iwi to ensure that the waka is protected for the benefit of future generations and is allowed to tell its own story.”
