Waka Portrait

Waka in Paihia, the Bay of Islands.

Waka range in size from small canoes used for fishing or river transport through to large waka called taua which means 'war canoes'. These large canoes are around 40 metres in length which is enough room for around 80 paddlers. There were also large double-hulled canoes which were used for oceanic voyaging. The Maori were known for their long and daring voyagers in these canoes.