Big First Day At The Waka

21,700 people went through Waka Maori on its first day open to the public. A steady crowd moved through the carving demonstrations, through the weaving displays and contemporary art exhibition before going into the waka for one of the shows.

Performances today included one of New Zealand’s foremost kapa haka groups, Waka Huia; Maori electronica roots group Wai; and violinist Elena. All performances involved lots of audience interaction.

The Maori Rugby Exhibition was busy with former Maori All Blacks Mark Mayerhofler, Ron Cribb, Rhys Duggan and Tony Marsh there to talk to the people as they looked through the displays.

Project Director Renata Blair said the numbers were in line with expectations and he is very pleased with how the people coming through Waka Maori were openly expressing their appreciation.

“It has been a lot of hard work for many people to bring Waka Maori to fruition so it is always nice to have people come up and thank us. It has been an enjoyable day.”

In the evening there was an event for international media at the waka.

All Black greats Waka Nathan and Mac Herewini were guests of honour and Waka Nathan in turn honoured his great friend from rugby playing days welsh businessman Sir Stanley Thomas who is in New Zealand for the tournament.

Twenty-one former Maori All Blacks were at the waka to share in the evening and honour Waka Nathan and Mac Herewini.

Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples made an impassioned plea for the Maori All Blacks to be included as a team in future world cups just as Ireland, Wales and Scotland are nations within the British Isles.

Former All Black Bill Bush says he was honoured to be at Waka Maori for the evening.

“It is great Maori culture is being presented in this way for visitors from overseas. Without this a lot of people would come to New Zealand and not know Maori lived here. It has got to be good for us as a country and it has been great to catch up with a lot of people I have met over the years through rugby. The waka looks amazing.”

Waka Maori is part of the REAL New Zealand Festival – a nationwide festival of more than 1000 events running during RWC 2011.