Experience the awa like never before with a combined waka and e-bike journey, an immersive way to connect with the landscape, stories, and spirit of Waikato-Tainui.

Led by Ikimoke Tāmaki Takarei and his Tira Hoe team, you'll paddle a section of the Waikato River aboard a flotilla of five waka. Each “waka hourua” will be made up of two 6-berth waka ama joined together to form a waka hourua (double-hulled canoe), carrying 10 participants, a captain, and a steerer. The journey involves gentle paddling with the current, requiring no high level of fitness — just a willingness to listen, reflect, and glide with the river. Expect to spend around 2.5 to 3 hours on the water, taking in kōrero and perspectives only accessible from the awa itself.

The e-bike portion of the day will be led by Dan Tairaki and the team at River Riders, taking you along the mostly gentle, undulating trail between Kirikiriroa (Hamilton Gardens) and Tūrangawaewae (Ngāruawāhia). Riders will stop along the way to hear kōrero about the whenua and its connection to Tainui and Kiingitanga. This ride is supported by electric bikes and designed to be accessible for most fitness levels. It also takes approximately 2.5 hours, including time for morning tea and storytelling breaks.

Participants will do both the waka and the e-bike journey, one leg each way.

This is a rare chance to move through the Waikato-Tainui by water and land, tracing the path of the tupuna while hearing the stories that continue to shape this whenua today.