The museum is currently working on a project with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to maintain and refurbish the Ngāi Tahu waka, Kōtukumairangi. The waka was built in the late 1980s after Ngāi Tahu kaumātua Maurice Pohio suggested to Murray Thacker that a Ngāi Tahu waka ought to be part of the Waitangi Day commemorations at Okains Bay. An agreement was reached and in May 1987 a tōtara tree was felled on Murray’s property. Two further tōtara were felled in June that year and work commenced on the carving of the waka in May 1988. In addition to providing the tōtara, Murray accommodated the carvers and assisted them. On its initial launch in 1990, the waka proved unstable on the water, so Murray undertook further extensive work to make it seaworthy. A decade later it was re-launched on Waitangi Day 2000 and was then formally gifted to Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. The work being undertaken on the waka includes painting, re-lashing, and the installation of new seating.
