The largest double-hulled waka fleet to visit the area in centuries has landed at Kaiteriteri Beach.
The four waka hourua were welcomed to the Top of the South at dawn on Saturday as part of the Te Hau Kōmaru National Waka Hourua Festival.
The event, established in 2021, aims to raise awareness about the cultural significance of this type of double-hulled craft which was used by the first Polynesian settlers 800 years ago.
It is the first time that the festival, which runs until Sunday, 14 April, has been held in Te Waipounamu/the South Island.
