|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Katoro
- Waka Heritage Journeys
Address:
83 Bridge Street, South New Brighton, Christchurch,
New Zealand
Phone:
+64 3 388 6375
Bookings phone: +64 3 388 6376
BOOKING/ENQUIRY:
click here
Web: www.katoro.co.nz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Katoro
Waka Heritage Journeys is the South Pacific’s gateway to
the world of the South Island Maori waka (canoe) journeys, natural
wildlife, and friendly Maori cultural performances; we are your
one stop cultural destination for all things Maori when visiting
the South Island New Zealand.
Whakapapa
or descent is the mental structure that allowed Ngai Tahu (south
island) Maori to understand and interact with the landscape, wildlife,
ancestral homeland and most importantly our Atua (gods).
For
Ngai Tahu (south island) Maori, whakapapa was the principle from
which order and chaos were to be understood. Whakapapa (descent)
placed order upon space and time, it was the binding agent between
opposites and connects the living and the dead, Atua (gods) with
humankind and the intangible with the tangible.
Therefore
if whakapapa was the backbone, oral traditions, chants, and other
arts could attach themselves as the flesh to the skeletal structure
of genealogy, thus the Earth (papatuanuku) and sky (raki) were
understood as the original parents of humankind, with the sea,
flora fauna and other elements of the natural world connected
by a web of kinship.
The
Canterbury plains, the forest and birdlife were understood as
the descendants of Tane creator of all life, who was in turn the
son of (raki) the sky father and papatuanuku) earth mother.
Katoro
Maori Heritage Journeys will be your guide into the past of our
ancient south island Maori. Let us share our stories with you
when you visit Christchurch. Our story-tellers will share our
rich history that will include a visit to an historical Maori
site, a Maori waka (canoe) journey located on a traditional Maori
hunting site, a wildlife sanctuary and Maori village complete
with a cultural performance.
Waka
Heritage Tours:
- Waka Paddling,
Kiwi Wildlife Tour and Christchurch Early Settlers, and evening
Ko Tane Experience
- Waka Paddling,
Kiwi Wildlife Tour Ko Tane Maori Cultural Experience (Capacity
15 adults)
Katoro
Waka Heritage Journeys
- Your Transport
-
Our story tellers will meet you once a pick up location and time
have been confirmed. Please be punctual and prepared, our vehicles
are well sign written.
- Historical
Settler Sites
- Stretching from the banks of Otakaro (Avon River) at Victory
Square out to Bealey Avenue in the years between 1000 and 1500
the loop in the river that encompassed this site was an important
mahinga kai (food gathering site) for our people. At its’
height the pa would have been home to about 800 Maori. A large
variety of food was gathered in the Puari pa area including tuna
(eels), inaka (whitebait), kokopu (native trout), koukoupara (cockabullies),
parera (grey ducks) and putakitaki (paradise shelducks). Directly
opposite Puari Pa the first European settlers set up camp, it
has been said that English ships were to large to sail past this
point, so local Maori with waka helped move some of the settlers
further up stream. It is at this site where your journey with
us commences as we share our citys’ birth place and begin
your historical waka journey with Katoro Maori Heritage Tours.
- Purakautahi
Paharakeke
- Paharakeke, (Styx River) is one of several springfed river systems
that originate and flow through the district of Christchurch.
This catchment located on the northern urban edge, is approximately
50 square kilometers. The river originates from a dry swale intermittently
filled with storm water. Springs feed the river as it meanders
north-eastwards through a variety of land use areas, associated
with, horticultural, agricultural, and lifestyle developments
as well as conservation reserves. The lakes at the eastern end
of the purakautahi are where our waka experience is situated.
- Your Waka
Experience -
Once boarding of the waka is complete the safety procedures will
be explained. Our safety procedures are designed to reinforce
personal and group commitment for a safe journey. After safety
procedures are completed an ancient karakia (prayer) will begin
the training of paddlers for the journey ahead, after a series
of short excursions the team will be ready to continue down the
river, throughout the journey your host will explain the significance
and meaning and uses of the waka and carvings. The history and
ecosystem, although highly modified, retains relatively high ecological
values. Native plants are regenerating under the taller willow
tree canopies that line many of the waterways. These waterways
act as corridors for the upstream and downstream migration of
birds, fish, invertebrates and plants. Our guides will share how
important this system was to Ngai Tahu Maori. A light lunch and
refreshments will follow at the completion of your waka journey
before departing to the ultimate kiwi viewing experience at Willowbank.
- Kiwi New
Zealands Icon (Optional)
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve provides the most comprehensive
kiwi viewing facility in New Zealand, kiwi can be viewed each
day, all year round. Your journey now moves to a largest nocturnal
house – where the emphasis is on viewing our national icon,
the kiwi can be viewed in its most natural environment. This is
a rear and superb opportunity to see our national icon up close
and personal with the concrete and class just you and the kiwis
this is a must do experience which is why we find it to hard to
exclude from your journey.
- The
Ko Tâne Maori Experience
(Optional) - Be welcomed onto our Pa (village) with a powerful
challenge by our fearsome warrior. Enter onto the Pa site with
a haka powhiri of welcome. Hear the Maori chief welcome you in
our native language.
- Maori
Village and Nature Tour
(Optional) - Learn and see how the Maori People existed before
the arrival of European technology. See and learn the ancient
arts of the Maori Hunter and the importance the vegetation had
on our ancient people.
- Cultural
Performance and Entertainment (Optional) - Relax and enjoy
an informative interactive and joy-filled evening as our Maori
people entertain you with unforgettable traditional dancing. Learn
the haka or poi dance. Feel the emotions of our Waiata Aroha (love
songs). Following the concert your transport will return you to
the city centre or your accommodation.
- Taste
New Zealand Dinners
- By combining New Zealand food, wine, wildlife, service and culture,
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve has created a full entertainment experience
for visitors to Christchurch with a uniquely New Zealand flavor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RATES:
Please
submit an email enquiry for
a personalised quote.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
