Thousands gather for Waka Odyssey and the opening of the New Zealand FestivalRoughly 3000 years of voyaging history were summed up in one night as about 20,000 people gathered at Wellington's waterfront at dusk to witness the arrival of a fleet of Waka, and the opening of the New Zealand Festival. MONIQUE FORD/STUFF Thousands decked Wellington's waterfront for the opening night of the New Zealand Festival, three weeks of arts events. MONIQUE FORD/STUFF The Waka Odyssey performance was designed to honour the legacy of famous Pacific explorer, Kupe. MONIQUE FORD/STUFF A woman emerges from a waka as part of the NZ Festival opening event. The opening night marks the beginning of a week of festival events inspired by waka hourua and Pacific voyaging.

Source: Stuff February 23, 2018 08:40 UTC