Itinerary

Day One: February 1st, 2012
Auckland

Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, with a population of 1.4 million out of a national total of 4 million. We transfer to our hotel. Our guide will be at the hotel, meeting us as we arrive, briefing, handing out special equipment (sleeping bags, insect repellent etc.) and so on. That night we will all come together for a dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants, where we will have a special Maori speaker.

Day Two: February 2nd, 2012
Auckland - Bay of Islands

We will spend the morning at Auckland Museum, visiting the Polynesian and Maori sections. The Auckland Museum is home to the world's most comprehensive collection of Polynesian artifacts.

After lunch we will drive north to the Bay of Islands, a trip taking 3.5 hours. After a stop to see the waterfront of Paihia and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, we will arrive at Tauwhare Marae. Here, we will be accorded a traditional welcome, enjoy a traditional meal and learn about the waka.  We will finish around 11pm.

Accommodation is on the marae in the traditional meeting house. We will sleep as all Maori visitors do, on mattresses on the floor of the meeting house, all in one big room. The meeting house is like a combination of church, town hall and social centre

Day Three: February 3rd, 2012
Tauwhare Marae - Paihia - Tauwhare Marae

If we are to be paddling with the best of Maori warriors in three days time, we have a lot to learn. After prayers at 5:30am, the morning will be spent learning to paddle - on land.  We will then all go to Paihia to launch the waka and spend the afternoon paddling them until 5pm, after which we return to the marae, for dinner and another knowledge sharing session until 11pm.

Day Four: February 4th, 2012
Tauwhare Marae - Waitangi & Waitangi River - Haruru Falls - Tauwhare Marae

Today, all the waka participating in the Waitangi celebrations will meet at Waitangi and paddle together, practicing formations etc. In the afternoon we will paddle the waka down the Waitangi River, visiting Haruru Falls and a traditional marae. In the evening, we continue to learn more about the Maori traditions.

Day Five: February 5th., 2012
Tauwhare Marae

Today, waka training will take place all day with an early night in order to be ready for a very long day tomorrow.

Day Six: February 6th., 2012
Waitangi Day

Rise at 3am today for a traditional dawn ceremony before having breakfast at 6am and arriving at the waka at 7am. The waka ceremony will then continue until about 1pm after which everyone will be free to relax, wander around Waitangi and take it easy.  The coach will depart for the marae around 5pm and everyone will go to the traditional hot pools at Nga Wha, where Maori warriors come after significant occasions for healing. After the long day, we will have an early night.

Day Seven: February 7th., 2012
Tauwhare Marae

Today, we will spend time preparing a traditional hangi (meal cooked underground) feast and spend the night eating, drinking, singing and relaxing. In Maori tradition, everyone will be expected to get up and say something - which can be serious or humorous, a speech or a song.

Day Eight: February 8th, 2012
Auckland

After a later start, prayers, and farewell speeches we will travel back down to Auckland.

Day Nine: February 9th., 2012
Departure

Today we depart for home or other destinations.

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