Whakatere with Toiora Hawira

Join us for a powerful kōrero with Toiora Hawira, a navigator whose journey has been shaped by the rhythms of Te Awa Tupua (the Whanganui River) and the knowledge of his tūpuna.

From paddling the awa as a child to voyaging across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean), his experience is grounded in mātauranga passed down through generations and strengthened through real journeys at sea. Toiora will share how navigators read the stars, ocean swells, and seasonal markers like Puanga to find direction and mark time.

He’ll also speak to the ongoing revival of traditional navigation, including waka hourua journeys that continue to reconnect people across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.

This is a rare chance to hear directly from someone living and practicing this knowledge today.

Brought to you by the Whanganui District Library.