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| View up the Tapuwae river from Lookfar. |
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[Creator unknown] :Plan of Motukaraka Hokianga surveyed for Capt. McDonnel[l] [ms map]. [184-?]
Reference Number: MapColl-832.11a/[184-?]/Acc.1780
Shows survey of
land of Motukaraka Island, Hokianga Harbour, adjoined by the Motu
Karaka and the Waimanga Creeks. Map shows position of old Maori pa site
as well as mangrove trees and high water mark.
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| This image reveals the same Island viewed from the south. The Pa is located at the one o'clock position in the photo, identifiable by the dark patch of large trees amidst the mangroves. The Tapuwae river reaches off to the left in the distance. |
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| View from a headland, Tapuwae River, Hokianga, Northland, New Zealand |
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A view from our home shows the headland from where I took the above photo of Motukaraka Island, the mangrove fringe is actually the Island which is separated by a navigable channel leading into the Tapuwae River.
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| Lookfar brings me safely home. The Tapuwae, Motukaraka and the pa can be seen in the background of this image. Photo by Julie Holton. |
An exceptionally fair wind and tide combination prompted me to make a spontaneous trip in Lookfar up the river opposite our home across the Hokianga Harbour. The incoming tide carried us as far up river as it was possible to sail. The trip took me a total distance of 15 KM. there and back. This was among the most enjoyable of my trips to date. During the course of the day the 10-12 knot breeze steadily changed to a point where I was on the same tack coming home as I was when I left in the morning!
Toroa by Harmen Hielkema & Mike Toy.
Header Photo: Toroa at Rawene by Julie Holton.
This blog is dedicated to the memory of my father Roelof Hielkema who instilled in me the willingness to learn.
These pages are intended to inform and add to the growing body of knowledge concerning the Canoe Culture of the Pacific, past, present & future, from the Tupuna, the Ancestors of the Pacific cultures to the people of the world.
These pages contain Images and text relating to our two proas, Toroa & Takapu, some history relating to our experiments & experiences.
The dissertation that I posted on this blog in April 2008 "Takapu The Proa" was written by me in 1997 in response to an assignment that I was set whilst studying for my design degree. The dissertation covers many issues that a proa enthusiast may benefit from reading about.
Waka define culture as culture defines waka
Waka reflect the individuality and uniqueness of a society which in turn is governed by the geography, geology, topography, climate, location, resources, isolation, origin, flora, fauna, flotsam, jetsam, etc.
Waka are our link to the past, they have shaped our present and define our future.
Waka are the vessels of knowledge, physical and mental development, freedom of bondage to the land, key to our inquisitiveness, expressions of our ingenuity and courage, our love of shape and form, the seat of our power.
Waka are the source of our material culture, from which all processes are derived.
Waka are who and what we are.
