A partially buried waka described as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries ever made in Aotearoa and the wider Pacific remains at risk, with the government yet to commit to funding its full excavation and preservation.
The double-hulled ocean-going waka, believed to be Rangihoua and thought to have been part of an early migration from Hawaiki centuries ago, lies in coastal dunes on Rēkohu in the Chatham Islands. About 750 fragments have been recovered so far, but the remaining section, roughly 10 percent of the entire waka, is still exposed to erosion, storm surges and the risk of permanent loss.
Why is the waka still in the dunes?
The waka was discovered nearly two years ago by the Dix whānau, who own the land where the fragments were found. While the recovered pieces are now being cared for, the rest remains buried, protected only by sandbags and other temporary measures that archaeologists warn are unlikely to withstand a major storm.
Vincent Dix, who found the waka, said the visit by Minister for Arts and Heritage Paul Goldsmith on Monday was more positive than what we've had, but no assurances were given about further funding.
They've got to go away and discuss the possibilities of what they can do for us, Dix told Checkpoint.
What did the minister see during his visit?
Goldsmith was unable to physically see the waka as it was covered and protected by sandbags. However, Dix said the minister would have witnessed the site's vulnerability first hand, with the tide lapping around the dunes during his visit.
I think they would have realised how sort of vulnerable it is here, with the tide draping around it like it was when we were down there, Dix said. They understand, I think, now that it's urgent to get it out.
With cold howling southerlies battering Rēkohu on Monday, the conditions were a stark reminder of what the waka faces. But it is the northerly winds that pose the biggest threat.
What would a full excavation involve?
Dix said another major archaeological dig was needed to remove the remaining pieces, a painstaking process that could take up to six months.
It's quite a painstaking process to get everything out, but it's sort of got to be done very carefully due to the fact there is bits like sail and rope and things there that are very delicate, he said.
The waka would continue to deteriorate the longer it stays exposed. Because it's been exposed, so from now on every day it's slowly decaying. Because the oxygen and everything is getting at it, Dix said.
Preserving the waka was of paramount importance, he added. It's like the most complete waka ever discovered. We definitely know we've lost a lot due to the storms and that. But we've still got a lot to recover, and it's quite an amazing piece of engineering.
What has the government said about funding?
In a recent court case to establish ownership of the waka, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage argued that its legal responsibilities extended only to the pieces already uncovered, not those still buried. It also said it did not currently have the funding required for a full excavation and the years of conservation work that would follow.
Goldsmith said a decision on funding would need to be made by Cabinet and he would not make any commitments ahead of that.
Why is this waka so significant?
Archaeologists describe the discovery as one of the most important ever made in Aotearoa and the wider Pacific. The waka is believed to be Rangihoua, a vessel that may have been part of an early migration from Hawaiki, making it a taonga of immense cultural and historical value.
Time is critical. Experts have warned that delaying or repeatedly stopping and starting the excavation could cause further damage, and that temporary protections are unlikely to save the site from a major storm.
For the Dix whānau and the wider community, the message is clear: this is a race against time to recover a piece of history that belongs to all of Aotearoa.