Te Waka Te Matau A Maui was launched in Auckland in 2009.

wakawaka

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11 Things To Know Aboout Te Matau A Maui

  1. Only traditional navigation methods are used on Te Matau a Maui. The only modern device used is a simple GPS system which is a safety requirement.
  2. Te Matau A Maui requires a minimum of 5 experiences crew to man the vessel and a full strength of 14 for voyaging.
  3. The waka hourua can carry 25 crew with passengers for day sailing and 16 overnight.
  4. Te Matau a Maui is 22m long and weighs 13 tonne.
  5. Te Matau a Maui has a top speed of 10 knots in a 15 to 20 knot wind and averages 5 knots.
  6. The hoe - steering paddles is 5m long and is held in place by a single pin and two ropes.
  7. The waka hourua completed it's sea trials on a voyage from Aotearola to Samoa and back.
  8. The waka carries three sets of sails; Commercial (Pakeha) which uses a standard boom, Maori traditional with Ngati Kahungunu name and Pandanus/Flax sail (made in Samoa) which uses a traditional boom and crab claw sails.
  9. The decking is lashed traditional style by a rope to the hull. there are no bolts.
  10. When voyaging, the crew are allocated 1.5 litres of drinking water every two days.
  11. Solar panels are used to recharge the batteries for an onboard radio and two electric motors.