These Maori canoes, some of the oldest remaining in New Zealand, are brought out of storage in March each year. They are put into the Waikato River to soak, water also being poured inside the canoes. This causes the totara wood to swell and so keep the canoes watertight. They are used in the only Maori Aquatic Sports to be held in the world. These are at Ngaruawahia, on the Waikato River. A feature of the sports is the canoe hurdling, and Ngaruawahia is the only remaining place in New Zealand where this sport is practised. (Barbara Baigent, Photo)