Cushla Tangaere-Manuel celebrates return of Te Matau a Māui to Ahuriri

The return of the waka hourua Te Matau a Māui to its home waters of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū in Ahuriri has provided a moment to reflect on the vitality of ancestral knowledge. Speaking to Waatea News on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, Cushla Tangaere-Manuel expressed the significance of the event for the local community and the wider region. Tangaere-Manuel, who serves as the Labour Party representative for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, remarked that witnessing the waka return home last week was a testament to the continued health of Māori traditional practices. She noted that one of the greatest benefits of such kaupapa is seeing the living presence of mātauranga and the customs handed down by ancestors in a modern context. As the Labour spokesperson for sports and recreation, Tangaere-Manuel also emphasised her commitment to advocating for greater support for water-based kaupapa. She stated a desire to see increased backing for both waka hourua (traditional double-hulled sailing canoes) and waka ama, noting their importance to the cultural and physical wellbeing of the people. The homecoming of Te Matau a Māui to Te Whanganui-a-Orotū serves as a focal point for the preservation of maritime traditions. Tangaere-Manuel’s comments underscore a vision where traditional navigation and sports are not just historical markers, but active, supported components of New Zealand’s recreational landscape.