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Leiden Waka Shelter set for Ceremonial Opening on 11 August 2011.

After the highly successful waka taua paddle up the Thames River in London by Toi Maori, Njord Royal Rowing club and Ngati Ranana members and an epic Canoe Journey paddle to Swinomish territory in the Puget Sound USA by Toi Maori members, another exciting project is about to be unveiled in relation to kaupapa waka.

Leiden Waka Shelter set for Ceremonial Opening on 11 August 2011.

After the highly successful waka taua paddle up the Thames River in London by Toi Maori, Njord Royal Rowing club and Ngati Ranana members and an epic Canoe Journey paddle to Swinomish territory in the Puget Sound USA by Toi Maori members, another exciting project is about to be unveiled in relation to kaupapa waka.

Master Carver Takirirangi Smith is preparing to head back Leiden, Holland to install carvings that his team Sam Hauwaho, Brett Rollo, and Hinganaroa Smith carved in August 2010.

Under the directorship of Takirirangi, the team spent 4 weeks in Leiden last August to complete the barge boards, front posts, gable mask as well as a prow and stern post for the second waka that will also be housed alongside the ambassadorial waka taua – Te Hono ki Aotearoa.

Accompanying the master carver will be Toi Maori Board member Robert Gabel. Robert is also the Chair for Nga Waka Federation who recently led the Toi Maori paddling crew to the City of London Festival in July 2011.

Both members will participate in the Opening Ceremony for the Waka Shelter and public programmes organised by the Museum Volkenkunde to celebrate this marvellous occasion.