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Story: Canoe traditions

Te Tumu Herenga Waka marae, Victoria University of Wellington

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Te Tumu Herenga Waka marae, Victoria University of Wellington

Most iwi have oral traditions about waka (canoes) and their voyage to New Zealand from Hawaiki, in East Polynesia. In order to represent all Māori, the marae at Victoria University of Wellington is called Te Tumu Herenga Waka, meaning ‘the hitching or mooring post of the canoe’.

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Te Tumu Herenga Waka Marae, Victoria University of Wellington

All rights to images of this marae are held by Te Tumu Herenga Waka Marae, Victoria University of Wellington

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How to cite this page

Rāwiri Taonui, Canoe traditions – The meaning of canoe traditions, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/2294/te-tumu-herenga-waka-marae-victoria-university-of-wellington (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 4 March 2009.