Whanganui Regional Museum is thrilled to host National Library’s replica voyaging waka hourua Whakaura to celebrate Puanga/Matariki.

Get ‘hands-on’ with this educational resource, in a facilitator-led group session. Assemble the waka and learn about its construction — from its hulls to its sails. Explore concepts such as rangatiratanga (leadership), kotahitanga (unity), mahi tahi (working together with our unique skills and strengths) and haerenga (journeying through our lives). Practice navigation techniques developed and used by Pacific wayfinders in the past and today.

Whakaura is on loan from Community Engagement and Learning Team at National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa. This programme was designed for the National Library He Tohu outreach experience (School programmes —  He Tohu) in collaboration with specialists, waka designers and builders, and with the generous oversight of experienced teachers.

Book a two-hour guided learning experience with this unique educational resource to learn how Māori and Pacific peoples used their knowledge and navigational expertise to sail across one-third of the earth’s surface.

Key concepts explored:

-Voyaging and settlement in Aotearoa
-Geographical and environmental challenges
-Intergenerational legacies of story telling
-Waka design and construction
-Modern voyagers and knowledge revival 

Bookings are essential. Sessions are limited to 20 individuals. Participation is by koha.

Book your place with our Visitor Services team: Email info@wrm.org.nz or phone 06 349 1110

Booking for a school group? Use the School Bookings page: here

PUBLIC SESSIONS:

Saturday 20th June: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Sunday 21st June: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Saturday 27th June: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Sunday 28th June: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Monday 29th June: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Saturday 4th July: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Sunday 5th July: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Monday 6th July: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Tuesday 7th July: School Holiday Programme – One session, maximum 12 children – 10am-11.30am
Wednesday 8th July: School Holiday Programme – One session, maximum 12 children – 10am-11.30am
Thursday 9th July: School Holiday Programme -One session, maximum 12 children – 10am-11.30am
Saturday 11th July: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Sunday 12th July: 10.30am, 1.30pm
Monday 13th July: School Holiday Programme – One session, maximum 12 children – 10am-11.30am
Tuesday 14th July: School Holiday Programme – One session, maximum 12 children – 10am-11.30am

Whakaura travels in the company of Senior Education Specialist, Tereora Crane Anautoa/Ngati Uritaua (Cook Is.) from Information and Knowledge Services National Library of New Zealoand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa with support from Creative NZ, Takitini Hauora and Whitlock Freight.