Ancient War Canoe Unearthed from Lake Rotoiti: “Tapu” lifted

Grey River Argus, 12 March 1947, Page 2

Ancient War Canoe Unearthed from Lake Rotoiti: “Tapu” lifted

P.A. ROTORUA, Marcli 11. There was recently dug from the eastern end of Lake Rotoiti the forward remnant of a Maori war canoe, exactly 30 feet in length. Made of totara, it is in an excellent state of preservation, as this timber keeps well under water. It is believed to be at least 120 years old.

The presence of the canoe has been known to natives in the district, apparently, ever since it was placed in the swamp, with a “Tapu”, many ycai-' ago. Until recently, the Tapu has been strictly observed, and, even when it was required to be removed some months ago, to allow the swamp to be drained, none of the villagers would touch the sunken craft until the Tapu had been ceremonially removed.

The canoe recently found was the property of the Ngarongoiri te Hirita family, of the Ngati Kawiti sub-tribe, whose descendants still live in a pa overlooking the swamp. Although the exact dates cannot be ascertained, either from the family or the official record?.’ of fighting in the district, it is fairly certain that the canoe was last used about the year 1830 in a series of wars that raged between the Ngati Pikiao, with whom the Kawitis were allied, and the Tuhourangi tribe, which was headquartered, at that time, near Green Lake. Although the complete canoe, with war head and carved gunwales, was originally placed in the swamp, the after-section, plus all of the decorative freeboard, was removed at some later period.