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Story: Waka – canoes

Sternposts

Image
Sternposts

At the stern of the waka were taurapa (sternposts), sometimes beautifully carved like these, which are held in the Auckland Museum. The posts were often adorned with feather streamers known as puhi.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

Reference: AM 144

by Josiah Martin

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 taua, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/object/6004/sternposts (accessed 24 June 2026).

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