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Story: Canoe traditions

Tainui hauling chant

Audio file

This karakia is said to have been chanted by the crew of Tainui as they pulled their canoe across the 200-metre portage separating the Tāmaki River from Manukau Harbour. The portage was a major route linking the east and west coasts. Today, as the photo of the west end of the portage shows, the area is used for very different forms of transport. The sound recording is of a performance by members of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, led by Rāpata Kīngi, in 1943.

Using this item

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Reference: 40703

Image: Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, by Jock Phillips

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How to cite this page

Rāwiri Taonui, Canoe traditions – Other northern canoes, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/music/2326/tainui-hauling-chant (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 4 March 2009.