For our anniversary we decided to splash out on a trip to White Island, but before we left we explored Whakatane. This is a view from the hill behind the town over the harbour.
Whakatane has a lot of Maori history, including Muriwai Cave - one of the most sacred and historically significant sites in the region.
Opposite the cave is a ceremonial waka.
At the entrance to the harbour is a statue of Wairaka, the daughter of Toroa - 200 years ago when the men left the waka and went ashore leaving the women on board the waka drifted out to sea and Wairaka broke the tradition of women steering a waka and safely brought the boat ashore. The statue is to commemorate her braveness. In the background is Whale Island.
No comments:
Post a Comment