Waka carving will honor Māori soldiers in France
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Carvers from Te Puia, the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, are creating a waka (canoe) to be displayed in the Carrière Wellington museum in Arras, France.
The waka will commemorate the Māori Pioneer Battalion soldiers who fought in World War I, specifically during the Arras offensive. Tiaan Greig, one of the carvers, is a descendant of John Huani Ruha, a soldier who died in Belgium during the war.
The project stems from a relationship between Arras and New Zealand that began in 1916, when Māori and other New Zealand soldiers were tasked with tunneling under the French countryside. These soldiers constructed an extensive network of underground tunnels, large enough to hold 24,000 troops, and even named sections after places in New Zealand. Historian Chris Pugsley noted the tunnellers quickly learned the necessary skills despite having no prior experience.
Eraia Kiel, general manager of the institute, said the waka is currently half-finished and will be shipped to France for unveiling next year. Arras mayor Frédéric Leturque expressed a desire for French citizens to understand the cultural significance of the waka and the bravery of the Māori soldiers. The carving incorporates design elements representing the tribal affiliations of the 43 Māori men who participated in the tunneling work.
