Kupe the great Polynesian voyager discovered Aotearoa around one thousand years ago. We have been reading a range of school journal stories to learn more about early navigation techniques and how early Māori adapted to the 'land of the long white cloud'.
The waka hourua is used for long distance travel and it has a double hull. Traditionally the waka hourua takes around 27 months to build and they can be up to 36 metres long and made from giant kauri. Honor has made a replica waka hourua using two pieces of cut timber and glued two layers of cardboard on top to be strong. Honor used some old t-shirt for the sails with a Pasifika pattern. Traditional sails would be made with raupō leaf.