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Graphic: An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand 1966.

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This information was published in 1966 in An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock. It has not been corrected and will not be updated.

Up-to-date information can be found elsewhere in Te Ara.

MAORI MATERIAL CULTURE

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Canoes

Bush tracks crossing ranges of hills and mountains and rivers were the only means of inland transport in early New Zealand; consequently the manufacture of canoes became essential for all coastal transport as well as for river journeys. To cross lakes or make small journeys, rafts were manufactured from raupo lashed in bundles. These were either double or in the shape of canoes. Other rafts were of logs lashed together in outrigger style.

There was considerable work in the making of a large canoe from a forest tree. First, a tohunga would lift the tapu from the tree and Tane, ruler of the forest, be propitiated by appropriate ritual. Totara was the tree chosen for canoes. By means of adzes and the use of fire the tree was felled, men working in relays. Then commenced the hollowing process, and a dug-out canoe resulted. Often it was a matter of considerable labour dragging the canoe to the water. If it were required as a war canoe, special top sides, or rauawa, were fitted as well as a bow piece (tauihu), and a carved stern post (taurapa); but if for fishing or coastal work, less elaborate finishing was the rule. River canoes were plain dug-out types.


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