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Story: Chatham Islands

Replica Moriori raft

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Replica Moriori raft

Having settled the islands by 1500 CE, the Moriori ceased long-distance sea travel but built rafts for inter-island travel, like the replica pictured here. This waka korari (wash-through craft) had a base of kelp and sides of bound reeds. It could partially submerge, which enhanced its stability in rough seas.

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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: F.004324/03,04,07,08

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Rhys Richards, Chatham Islands – From first settlement to 1860, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/37789/replica-moriori-raft (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rhys Richards, published 28 November 2012, updated 1 May 2015.