The 3 Waka in the logo provide a history of the modern origins of Waka Ama in Aotearoa

Waka Haurua Double Hull Canoe

Hawaikinui 1 sailed from Tahiti in October 1985, to Moorea, Moorea to Raiatea, Raiatea to Rarotonga, Rarotonga to Hicks Bay East Coast NZ, Hicks Bay to Whakatane, Whakatane to Okahu Bay, Orakei , Auckland NZ. "If we had not sailed the traditional way on a traditional double hulled sailing canoe Waka Ama would not be where it is today" Ace Cuthers.

Waka Taua
Built by Ngati Kere in 1989 under Matahi's supervision for the 1990 Waitangi celebrations, the 38 metre 18 ton war canoe featured at Waitangi was named Tamatearikinui. The 29 logs Matahi cut, milled in 1989 with Jim Hutchingson of Porangahau Hawkes Bay came from Whirinaki Forest, Ureweras donated by Ngati Whare and Ruapani, Ngati Haua

Waka Ama 6 Man

Jean Claude Brander canoe from Punauia Canoe Club, Punauia Tahiti, donated his canoe to Edouard Maamatua he and his builder Taofa and Willie Hukutini freighted the mold to Los Angeles USA in 1983, built the fleet for the 1984 Outrigger World Champs. In 1984 Matahi asked for two 6 man to start Waka Ama in NZ. Edouard donated 2 brander canoes, They arrived in Rotorua in Sept 85. Matahi's father Marei Kura Brightwell and family transported the canoes to Auckland and were paddled in the Waitemata to welcome Hawaikinui 1 from Tahiti. Matahi donated one to Alex Hawke for Okahu Bay Canoe Club and took the other to Gisborne. In 1988 The Brander Canoe was modified by Kris Kjeldsen and Bo Herbert to become the famous 1990 for the 1990 6th World Champs in Orakei Basin Auckland. Edouard Maamatua introduced, lane racing in 1982, Taaone Lagoon Pirae, Tahiti