A Māori waka taua will lead the Emirates Team New Zealand yacht at the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona this October.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, a Māori iwi, will paddle the waka, named Te Kawau, ahead of the team to the starting line before each race begins.
Marama Royal, the chairperson of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, expressed the iwi’s pride and excitement about participating in the event. She said the opportunity to showcase Māori culture on a global stage is a demonstration of kotahitanga, unity, and reflects their identity and connection to their ancestors. The presence of Te Kawau will highlight Māori seafaring traditions internationally.
In addition to leading the yacht, the iwi ropū will perform cultural presentations and participate in ceremonial activities during the America’s Cup events.
Grant Dalton, chief executive of Emirates Team New Zealand, stated that including the waka in the races is a unique opportunity to share the strength and beauty of Māori culture with the world. He looks forward to seeing how ancient traditions and modern competitive sailing can come together.
Earlier this year, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei blessed and named the team’s racing boat Taihoro. The name, inspired by Taihoro-Nukurangi, means “to move swiftly as the sea between both sky and earth.” This high-tech foiling monohull vessel, designed for speed, took ten months to build and will be the team’s hope for victory at the America’s Cup.
That is one fit cat. I dont think i could walk that far. Let a lone a cat!!!
long way for a cat to travel
it was really good and interesting I loved it good job
That’s a long way.
The owners must’ve been scared to lose their cat but in the end the cat was found by a kind person who looked after the cat after walking 1448 km.
Thats pretty amazing! Very fit cat. Surely it didn’t do it all on paw! That’s crazy!
a least the cat got home
That cat must love their family so much to travel 1448 km, by paw!
I want that cat NOW!!!!!!!!
wish i could travel that far
wow cat strong
traveled so long!
they are so cute