According to legend, Polynesians traveled in canoes (waka) from the mythological Hawaiki to New Zealand. Archeologists suggest the first landing was circa 1280. They named themselves Māori meaning normal. Tuti Tukaokao spent 22 months carving this 46 foot long canoe from a 300 year old kauri tree. Te Awanui was launched in 1973. This was the original name for Tauranga Harbour. When the Tauranga Moana tribe is not using the vessel for celebrations, it is displayed inside a hut named Te Urunga at the north end of The Strand.
