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It has been 350 years since Abel Tasman of the Netherlands
visited Aotearoa and bestowed upon it the name New Zealand.
However, as knowledge of this country grew
so did the use of that name. It became a concern for Maori
as it trampled their beliefs and their name.
To remedy this issue, a canoe named Te Hono ki Aotearoa
has been presented to the Netherlands.
Te Hono ki Aotearoa has found a new home in the canals of Holland
connecting the history and culture of Maori
with the people of Holland.
In the past, Able Tasman came to Aotearoa,
but today we have come here.
We continue the practices they had back then.
It's a history that goes back more than 350 years,
when Able Tasman was said to have discovered this land
and named it New Zealand, but it wasn't without bloodshed.
Today we are keeping those links that were forged back then alive.
This is the first time that a war canoe
has ever been gifted to another people.
And today that link has been secured.
The aspirations of Toi Maori and the Dutch people have been achieved.
The period of negotiations went on for two years
and with a million dollar cash injection
from the Dutch lottery board
the dream of the museum of Leiden is now a reality.
They will take on the role of caretakers of the waka.
Dignitaries representing both the Dutch royal family
and the Maori king were among the hundreds
that witnessed the handover.
Now the responsibility rests on the shoulders
of Koos Wabeke and his crew.
It's a cultural connection that began with our ancestors.
The first outing for Te Hono ki Aotearoa will be to London
followed by Paris, France
and most importantly the 100 year commemoration at Gallipoli in 2015.
Tini Molyneux, Te Karere.