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Story: Waka – canoes

Paddle handles

Image
Paddle handles

This close-up of hoe (paddle) handles shows the differences in design. The hoe whakatere at the top has a long handle and carved detail. The bent handle was a feature unique to hoe carved by people from the Waikato tribe. The handle at the bottom is an example of the common, straight-handled design used by most tribes throughout the country.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira

by Krzysztof Pfeiffer

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/6022/paddle-handles (accessed 4 June 2026).

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