Waka on the Avon by Anna

On January 10 our group ventured into Christchurch for an unforgettable adventure: “waka on the Avon.” In Māori, waka means canoe, and Avon is the post-colonial name given to the river that runs throughout Christchurch. However, the Māori name for the river is Ōtākaro. Upon arriving in town, we followed the river down to the canoe company’s site. The talk of our bunched up group was interrupted suddenly by a belting Māori voice. One of the workers, a young man and Māori tribe member, proceeded to perform a speech of three messages: a welcome, a prayer for good wind and luck on the river, and a thank you to the Gods. Our group was split into two; one went down to the docked waka on the river while the other, my group, went with a tour guide. 

Our guide, also a member of a Māori tribe, provided fascinating insight on the Māori people, the history of the waka, and the role Māori tribes have in shaping Christchurch. She explained how the large canoes have been a vital part of transportation across the swampy landscape since the 1700s. Even more interesting was how Māori culture was woven into Christchurch’s rebuilding efforts after the devastating 2011 earthquakes as a tribute to the people’s invaluable help. 

After our tour we walked back to the river side to see the other half of our group paddling. There were two large wakas, each handcrafted with beautiful carvings by Māori many generations ago. After a short lesson on proper paddling technique and Māori paddling commands, it was my turn to hop in the waka. We began our short journey down the water, with ducks and seagulls flying nearby and the hustle and bustle of the town creating a vibrant backdrop. What I found most key was the importance of team effort during our paddling. It is not the speed of your paddle nor your strength, but your synchronization with everyone else in the canoe. Our guide belted out Māori commands as we lifted, tapped, and pushed our paddles into the water, and once we achieved perfect rhythm he began to sing. In those moments the ancient Māori traditions felt so alive, making this a cultured, historical, and bonding excursion we will never forget.