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Akitai Waiohua representative Matua David Wilson Takaanini (or Takanini) will explain the link between his iwi Te Akitai Waiohua and Otahuhu at a Lecture on May 25, 2017 in Mullins Room, Otahuhu Library, 28 Mason Avenue, Otahuhu, Auckland.
Called, ‘Toia Talks,’ this is a free quarterly public lecture series aimed at “convening community leaders, social activators, and change-makers to share stories and offer solutions for a better world.”
An initiative of Otahuhu Library, it was launched in September last year with the blessings of Kaumatua David.
Previous speakers include music producer, Anonymouz (Matthew Faiumu Salapu) and film makers and historian, Paul Janman and Scott Hamilton.
The Otahuhu waka portage is of considerable cultural and ancestral significance to Maori. It is regarded as having significance not only to the Tainui people, but also to the iwi of Tamaki Makaurau (Metropolis Auckland).
Toia, which refers to the dragging of the canoes along the portage, was named by Te Akitai Waiohua, with support from Ngati Whatua o Orakei and Ngati Te Ata.
The following are some Maori phrases with English meaning relevant to the upcoming Lecture:
A toia mai: Drag it here
Te waka: The canoe
Ki te urunga: To the entry
Ki te moenga: To the berth
