English: Taken at the 2011 Festival of Sail in San Diego, California.

Haunui waka is part of a conversation, a korero about reviving those traditions and conversations and knowledge of our Pacific ancestors.

Commemorating Tainui kaumatua Hone Haunui, kaitiaki Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr chose to honour Hone Haunui for years his support and sage guidance when it came to waka. He was a man respected and recognised for his matauranga and in his lifetime launched many waka. Sadly Hone passed away in December 2010 Hone Haunui was also involved in Te Mana o te Moana as he was the kaumatua who performed the launching karakia and ceremonies for Hinemoana, one of the waka in the family of canoes that will be travelling the Pacific.

The hulls of the waka are also named – Pikikōtuku (the ascending white heron) for the female port hull. The male starboard hull is named Wharetoroa (house of the albatross). The steering hoe has been given the name Te Whare Hukahuka Tangata (The foam house of the sea god).

The Haunui waka is for all iwi and owned by all nations.