Waka Taua

These war canoes are designed to allow their crews to embark and disembark with ease.

In Māori society, the waka taua, or war canoes, were vessels primarily used for transporting warriors to the field of battle. Built collectively by the clan members (hapū) under the guidance of a master craftsman (tohunga tarai waka), the canoes were richly ornamented to display the prestige (mana) and power of the group. Their hulls were made from several sections of hollowed-out, carved tree trunks, which were then assembled and raised with sewn edgings. Next, these enormous pieces of wood, fitted together in mortise and tenon joints, were then sealed using aquatic plants. Hull, bow (tauihu), and stern (taurapa) were intricately carved, painted with red ocher, and adorned with colorful feathers and mother-of-pearl inlays. Powered by the strength of dozens of oarsmen chanting to keep rhythm, the waka taua generally had sails. This made them fast ships, which allowed for easy disembarkation and re-embarkation.