S/V Tethys North Island Photos
Waitangi National Reserve
Ngatokimatawhaorua, one of the largest war canoes (or waka) in the world. Carved from three massive Kauri trees, this canoe is of the same design as the smaller canoes that carried raiding parties on long coastal voyages, both before and after the arrival of Europeans.

waka (9172 bytes)

 Normally the canoe is under the long canoe house, but we were lucky to see the canoe out on the beach getting readied for the February celebrations.
waka stern (11637 bytes) waka bow (8058 bytes)
waka interior (28459 bytes)

The Interior of the Whare Runanga is the rich brown colour of native NZ   wood, intrically carved and highly polished. There isn't a single spot that does not have a face or other traditional design.
meeting house interior (9291 bytes)
male tiki (10688 bytes) Many Maori tikis have their tongues stuck out.
Each of the 14 columns along the  two side walls is elaborately carved with a tiki. There were two female figures, identified by the closed eyes, among the more common male tikis. female tiki (5193 bytes)

tiki post (4044 bytes)
The base of each column has a carved figure holding up the roof beam overhead.

Treaty house, front (8902 bytes)

treaty house (15379 bytes)

The front of the Treaty House faces the large lawn where the treaty was actually signed and overlooks the Bay of Islands.

The rear of the Treaty House has a very nice courtyard bordered by the two wings of the house. A picket fence surrounds a small vegetable and flower garden.

sundial (8150 bytes)
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