“E rere kau mai te Awa nui mai i te Kāhui Maunga ki Tangaroa. Ko au te Awa, ko te Awa ko au.”
Tira Hoe Waka 2027 Dates confirmed
Tuesday 5 January – Monday 18 January 2027
About Te Tira Hoe Waka
Te Tira Hoe Waka is a Whanganui Iwi wānanga for descendants of Te Awa Tupua, providing an opportunity to journey together along the length of our tupuna Awa, mai i te Kōpupūtanga ki te Kōpaotanga – from the mountain to the sea.
The kaupapa seeks to deepen our collective understanding of the two dimensions, te kauae runga and te kauae raro, through shared experiences, mātauranga and wānanga on and off the Awa.
As an Iwi wānanga, all participants are expected to actively engage in the kaupapa throughout the journey.
Registrations
Registrations open: Sunday 1 November 2026
Registrations close: Saturday 28 November 2026
All intending participants, including kaihoe and road support, must complete the online registration form.
Spaces are limited, with priority given to:
- First-time kaihoe aged 12 years, accompanied by their parent or caregiver.
- Participants committed to completing the full Tira Hoe Waka journey.
Registration Costs
$180 - Kaihoe (Full river journey 14 days) Tshirt or Singlet.
$10 per day – Road support (11 years and under free)
T-shirts & Singlets
All participants are asked to confirm their clothing requirements as part of their registration by 28 November 2026.
This will allow sufficient time for orders to be organised and ready for collection at registration sign-in on 5 January 2027.
Important Information for Participants
Kaihoe Requirements
- All kaihoe must be 12 years of age or older. No exceptions.
- Rangatahi aged 12–17 years must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver aged 18 years or older.
- A 1:1 rangatahi-to-caregiver ratio applies. Caregivers are responsible for their rangatahi at all times, both on and off the Awa.
- The Tira Hoe Waka Committee strongly recommends that kaihoe arrange road support (a Roadie) to assist them when coming off the Awa.
Waka & Safety Requirements
- Six-person Canadian waka are the approved craft for Tira Hoe Waka. Any alternative craft must receive prior approval from the Tira Hoe Waka Committee.
- Participants are responsible for arranging their own waka or seat hire. Waka hire is not included in registration costs.
- Koti ora (life jackets) must be worn at all times while on the waka or in the water.
- Participants may bring their own koti ora or arrange to use those provided by waka owners.
- Hoe (paddles) are provided by waka owners.
Waka & Seat Hire Contacts
For waka or seat hire enquiries, please contact:
Hayden Potaka
Phone: 027 554 4426
Further Information and Enquiries
For full details, including the programme, participant requirements and recommended gear list, please refer to the previous Tira Hoe Waka PDF’s available below, or via the Tira Hoe Waka Facebook Group. For any other questions regarding Tira Hoe Waka 2027, please contact the Tira Hoe Waka Committee.
Hayden Potaka – Chairperson
Phone: 027 554 4426
Email: tirahoewaka1@gmail.com
Tira Hoe Waka 2027 Electronic Registration Form
Tira Hoe Waka PDF Form
Tira Hoe Waka 2023
January 10, 2023
On the 5th of January 2023 the people gathered at Ngāpuwaiwaha Marae, Taumarunui for the beginning of the 2023 Tira Hoe Waka journey.
Due to Covid-19 through out the previous two years, the kaupapa of the Tira Hoe Waka had been carried only by smaller Tira iti. However, 2023 saw us return to normal and welcomed those returning home to their Awa.
The pōwhiri was an emotional time, as we reflected on those that we had lost over the last two years. Some of those being people who had significantly contributed to the building and shaping of the Tira Hoe Waka since its inception.
There were many new faces as well as returning, both young and old, to experience the Tira for the first time.
If you are ever wanting to experience the Tira Hoe Waka and what it means to talk and listen to your Awa, have a look at the Tira Hoe Waka Facebook page.
There is also a short clip showing the waka departing from Ngahuinga (Cherry Grove) in Taumarunui by clicking on the following link.
Register
Do you whakapapa to the Whanganui River? Would you and your whānau like to be registered on the Whanganui Iwi Database? What does that mean?
It means that you get sent pānui and updates on kaupapa related to the Whanganui River and Te Awa Tupua, the people and the river from the Mountains to the Sea. You can also apply for the different grants that are advertised on our website and facebook page.
If you are already on the database and need to up date your details please head to the database or send us an email at office@ngatangatatiaki.co.nz