Large Māori waka hoe


Large Māori waka hoe

Large Māori wooden paddle (waka hoe). Made to order. Authentic Māori art.
Beautiful wooden paddle with Maui, Tangaroa and depicting taniwha, the river guardian, on the blade.

SOLD

Please note that there is quite a long waiting time when the waka hoe is out of stock (3-6 months).

$813.04 NZD
Approx $472.75 USD

or 4 payments of $203.26 with
Afterpay
SOLD OUT!

Description:

Large Māori waka hoe


(Māori canoe paddles). Looking for authentic Māori art? You found another beautiful Māori artwork by our Māori wood carver. Popular corporate gift. Or make an impressive statement in your office.

Description large carved waka hoe paddle:

‘Maui’ on top with Matau Hook representing prosperity and success, also safe travel especially over water. Important for the creation of Te ika a Maui and Maui - our mythology and overcoming great challenges.

Hei Matau: Prosperity and success as it catches things and creates sustenance crucial to life etc and the creation of 'Te Ika a Māui' (the fish of Māui).

Tangaroa in the centre, "Atua of the oceans and fish", Patiki flounder fish pattern on lips and forehead and on taniwha.

Tangaroa ‘God of the oceans and fish' in center. Then depicting taniwha, the river guardian, on the blade. The taniwha is surrounded with Koru and Unaunahi (fishscale) patterns and represents growth, life, new beginnings.

The hoe, paddle shape

The Hoe shape: water connection, it's not a functioning Hoe, but more a carrier of my korero; its shape connection to travel, perseverance, strength, courage, focus, energy and determination of our Tupuna who travelled here. The Taniwha on the blade is a Kaitiake (guardian), to protect and guide the person’s journey spiritually also, and koru designs on corners re in all directions, and on the Taniwha's body 'growth, 'life new beginnings, 'harmony and peace 'family unity'.

And the paddle itself represents:
  • Strength
  • Courage
  • Determination
  • Focus and energy

Type of wood:

NZ native timber. Our carver uses native NZ wood (rimu, matai, totara or swamp kauri). Beautiful large Māori paddle created by our talented Māori carver.

Size large Māori waka hoe:

~ 980mm (38.58")

Authentic Māori artefacts by our Māori artist Jason. Jason is a descendant of Te Awhitu, Katerina Te Waihanea and Alexander Bell of the Maniapoto iwi. Katarina’s father was Te Awitu, and her mother Te Uruweherua – they go back to 1350AD.

Paddles

Paddling was the most common method of propelling canoes (waka). And these paddles (waka hoe) were known as a hoe or hīrau. Longer paddles were known as hoe whakatere, hoe whakahaere or urungi. The paddles were usually made of kahikatea wood, although mataī could also be suitably light and strong. Tuta Nihoniho, of the Ngāti Porou tribe, noted that paddles could also be made of mānuka, maire, the heart of pukatea, and tawa.

The steering oars were straight, but on properly formed paddles the blade was set at a slight angle. The side of the blade used for pushing against the water was flat, while the other was rounded. The handle was straight, though in the Waikato district curved handles were used. Generally paddles were unadorned, but occasionally they were painted with scrolled kōwhaiwhai patterns. Paddles for purely ceremonial uses were usually carved.

On coastal trips one man would usually steer. However, on voyages in the open ocean there could be up to four – two at the stern, and two near the bow.

Source: Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr,
Waka – canoes – Waka equipment’
Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

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We ship paddles worldwide. Please note that due to the value of these beautiful Māori artworks, the large wooden paddles need to be sent by International courier.