A new waka destined for a museum in the Netherlands was launched on Saturday at Aurere, in the Bay of Islands.
It was created by the master waka builder Hector Busby and is to be part of an exhibition at Volkenkunde museum in Leiden.
The ceremonial waka will be on permanent loan to the museum and will be used as a working exhibition, and jointly cared for with the Njord Royal Rowing Club.
Toi Maori operations manager Tamahou Temara says the waka will be officially handed over to Volkenkunde museum in October.
It is 14 metres long and carries up to 18 people.
It will be part of an exhibition on the relationship between Holland and Maori since 1642, when the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman arrived in New Zealand.
Waatea News earlier reported a team from New Zealand will train Dutch paddlers to use the waka and help museum staff maintain it.
