Waka Māori: He Pūrongo Rangahau/ Waka Māori ... - Te Puni Kokiri

INTRODUCTIONIn October 2010, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei presented their ‘Waka Māori’ concept, which proposed toconstruct a large-scale contemporary Māori canoe and use the space to host events, promotebusiness showcasing and add to the richness of the overall visitor experience to Auckland duringRWC 2011. Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei objectives were to:tell the story of Māori people through profiling NZ Māori Rugby;create a dynamic and colourful space where Māori want to be, thereby attracting tourists to thespace;leverage RWC for business opportunities with Pākehā, Māori and international visitors, fromIwi Corporates to single entrepreneurs; andraise the profile of Māori innovation, business, arts, culture and entertainment.In March 2011, Cabinet confirmed contributions of $1.1m from Vote: Māori Affairs; up to $0.8mfrom Vote: Arts, Culture and Heritage; and noted that Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei would contribute$0.1m (with further contributions in kind) to fund the Waka Māori project. Cabinet noted thatownership of the Waka structure would be vested with Corporate Property Investments Ltd, acompany 100% owned by Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei. Cabinet also noted that Waka Māori would:contribute to the vibrancy and energy of the Auckland waterfront;provide a unique venue for hosting events that was quintessentially Māori, South Pacific andNew Zealand in form; andprovide a facility for future hosting opportunities at key international events promoting NewZealand.As part of Government’s investment, Te Puni Kōkiri was tasked with securing free public events,VIP hosting, business promotion and promotional activities to ensure public value and enjoymentfrom Waka Māori, commensurate with the level of Government support.Te Puni Kōkiri also worked with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, NZ2011, NZ Trade andEnterprise, Auckland City, and others involved in developing the waterfront programme, to ensurethat Waka Māori was a complementary venue to Queen’s Wharf and activities planned for theAuckland CBD precinct.In addition, every effort was made to ensure representation from other iwi at Waka Māori therebypositioning this as a ‘Māori Inc’ project. To that end, Ngāti Whātua undertook regional visits duringJuly and August 2011 to meet with key iwi and Māori business leaders and invited them to attendWaka Māori. Essentially, this was to participate in the opening pōhiri and business networkingfunctions.DESCRIPTION OF W AKA MĀORIThe Waka itself is a New Zealand-made venue, constructed using 100% recyclable textile andwood. The Waka is expected to have around a 25 year life span. Its total length, from the bow tothe stern post, is 74 metres, and it stands at a height of 16.6 metres. There is 501 square metres10 Waka Māori Survey Report February 2012