Medium Maori wooden paddle

Description

Medium Maori wooden paddle (waka hoe). Beautiful Maori wood carving created by our talented carver. These paddles are also quite popular as a 21st birthday gift.

“Tena koe Goina. Thank you so much for all your help from the initial inquiry to now having the paddle sent. As soon as the paddle arrives, I am going to give you a five star review. This is customer service beyond what I can properly describe. Again, thank you so much for everything Goina. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Naku noa”.
Fane L. – Auckland

Description artwork: Manaia, spiritual guardian on top with Tangaroa (God of the oceans & fish) biting onto blade. Blade covered in Koru, uncurling fern frond design & Unaunahi fish scale pattern. Paua shell eyes.

Type of wood: 30,000 year old swamp kauri or other NZ native timbers.

• Size Maori paddle: 570mm x 100mm (22.44″ x 3.94″)

Paddles – waka hoe

Paddling was the most common method of propelling canoes. And these paddles were known as the hoe or hīrau. Longer paddles were known as hoe whakatere, hoe whakahaere or urungi. The paddles were usually made of kahikatea wood, although mataī could also be suitably light and strong. Tuta Nihoniho, of the Ngāti Porou tribe, noted that paddles could also be made of mānuka, maire, the heart of pukatea, and tawa.

The steering oars were straight, but on properly formed paddles the blade was set at a slight angle. The side of the blade used for pushing against the water was flat, while the other was rounded. The handle was straight, though in the Waikato district curved handles were used. Generally paddles were unadorned, but occasionally they were painted with scrolled kōwhaiwhai patterns. Paddles for purely ceremonial uses were usually carved.

On coastal trips one man would usually steer. However, on voyages in the open ocean there could be up to four – two at the stern, and two near the bow.

Source: Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, ‘Waka – canoes – Waka equipment’, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

• Or check out our small paddle with koru design >>