A waka crew preparing to paddle down the Thames River at the weekend is already drawing attention in London.
A team of 16 paddlers has come together from New Zealand, Britain and the Netherlands for the Festival of London.
They are paddling from Tower Bridge to Blackfriars on Saturday in the long canoe built by Hekenukumai Busby for the University of Leiden.
Waka Toi manager Tamahou Kēmara says the team has been practising in Hyde Park.
The waka will go on display later beside the Thames, while the crew put on haka displays and workshops to promote Māori arts and the Rugby World Cup.
