Waka paddler returns 70 years on

Posted by karere under Maori News

When the waka Ngatokimatawhaorua celebrates its 70th birthday tomorrow, one of its original paddlers will quietly remember the maiden voyage. Te Aupouri’s Glass Murray, 86, from Te Kao, is believed to be the last living member of the original 1940 crew who paddled at the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Relashed last year, the 37m waka still hasn’t lost its edge, he says. “Ngatoki’s a big waka but she’s quite fast. On choppy days, she can cut through the water - she moves beautifully.”

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