Maori Village in Northlands Bay of Islands??

We have heard rumors that WAKA TAIAMAI HERITAGE JOURNEYS are building a traditional Maori village? on the banks of the Waitangi river. I wonder if I as a visitor will be allowed to visit this Maori village when I get to Paihia, Waitangi, or Northlands, Bay of Islands.

Of course you can however there will be only one way you will be able to visit or view this village and that will be aboard a traditional 50ft Maori canoe with Waka Taiamai Heritage Journeys.

The Journey starts from the Waitangi boat ramp and wharf, With 1 or even 2 traditional Maori Waka(canoes) each carrying a maximum of 22 people and after some training in the use of a hoe (paddle) the waka slip out into the flat and calm waters of the famous Waitangi river which is the same name that is used for the Treaty of Waitangi.

Waitangi (weeping waters) is a name that was given to the waters of the area when a great Maori chief called Hua Takaroa came in search of the legendary and beautiful Maori maiden called Maikuku. As he approached the place now known as Waitangi he could hear weeping and wailing ....... wait a minute, thats one of the many stories told during the Canoe Journey and to hear the rest you need to join our tour.

As the Waka makes its way up the river and estuaries one might catch momentary glimpses of the fish life or see the wild bird life diving and fishing for dinner. So 10 minutes into your paddling everyone starts getting tired? that's OK we just start up our little outboard motor and you can sit back and relax and just take in the magical beauty of the river with native flora and fauna coming right to the rivers edge all the while you can hear the warriors chanting and telling stories about a people that until now you thought were only in myths and legends.

.............................time Lapse...................

With mist on the river surface and the banks covered in native bush and jungle in the distance on the rivers edge you can see a small smoke plume rising out of the forest, aha! a sign of human habitation.

As your waka glides closer you can see what appears to be a huge carved gateway on the rivers edge. You also notice the 15 - 20 ft stakes driven in the ground all standing in a fence like manner. you can tell it is a Maori compound of sorts. There are other canoes and water craft pulled up on the banks. Straining your eyes you can make out figures or rather people behind the pallisades that line the river. You suddenly realize that this is the Maori village that you heard about, WOW! like a mystical figure from an epic movie you suddenly see a Maori warrior child on the rivers edge.

A Maori woman with long flowing hair also comes to the waters edge and starts waving, and calling (traditional Karanga) to the waka, you wonder if the Waka might stop, you want the waka to stop.

...............time lapse............

With scenery similar to what you have seen only in movies, almost amazon like the waka gently glides around another bend in the river where there are native trees right to the waters edge, you feel like you are in another world and if that isn't enough all of a sudden the river opens up into a huge pool like basin with towering cliffs and native trees. You can hear rumbling and some 100 meters away on the opposite end of the pool you can see water thundering down the cliff face. These are the Haruru (rumbling)waterfalls. This is the halfway point of your Journey. The waka slowly and gently glides right to the foot of the falls, Here you take exclusive photo opportunities and yes that could be you in the picture above.

The chief of our waka tells us that it was here that the first European road was ever constructed in New Zealand.

In those early days there was a Maori village on the cliff tops and the European trading boats would all berth along the bottom of the cliff face. After some bartering and trading, then paying for their goods which they had purchased from the local Maori, the goods were then lowered down the side of the cliffs on ropes made from the local native plant called Korari.

.............Time lapse .................................

We arrive back at the wharf - landing. What a Journey, What an experience. Words cannot express the feelings and you have got photo's to prove how magical it was. You avoided the hustle and bustle of 100's of other tourist and spent the last 2-3 hours with a special group of men, women and children. You now understand more about the dynamics of the environment and landscapes, of the Bay of Islands, you also understand the real challenges and impact that colonization has had on these people called Maori.

After the farewell speeches and the final pressing of the nose (hongi) with the Waka men you make your way back to your accommodation.

Tv, internet, cars, telephones, although you need and appreciate these things one thing you will never ever forget is the last couple of hours you just spent with Maori in a little place called Haruru in Northland, New Zealand.