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Story: Waka – canoes

Bailer

Image
Bailer

Often the bailer (tatā, tīheru or tā wai) was beautifully carved, and some were given a name. In canoe traditions, tribal members still name the bailers used on the original voyaging canoes from Polynesia.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Reference: 266a

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, Waka – canoes – Waka equipment, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/6034/bailer (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, published 2 March 2009.