A big plastic land-based waka being built for the Rugby World Cup will be test run at a secret location.
Central Auckland hapū Ngāti Whātua ō Ōrakei is managing the almost $2 million Government-funded attraction.
It says construction of Te Waka Māori is going to plan, with parts being manufactured in west Auckland.
Hapū trustee Ngarimu Blair says the attraction will be assembled away from the public and the media at the end of August to preserve the "wow" factor.
Mr Blair says the entertainment is also being planned, including contempoary and traditional Māori music using nose flutes.
It is hoped the waka will be unveiled in October at Te Wero Island, in the heart of the Viaduct on Auckland's waterfront, he says.
