<P> During the classic period (about 1500 to 1770) a hapū would select a Totara tree and prepare it years ahead for felling . Totara is a lightweight wood with a high natural oil content that helps prevent rot . This would include the removal of bark from one side of the trunk and the clearing of the ground and the planting of food crops for workers . After chants and prayers the tree would be felled by a combination of fires around the base and chopping with hand adzes . On an especially large tree with aerial roots a stage about 3m high was built of wood . On this was built a framework on which was suspended a giant upside down toki (axe), about 2.5 m long . The long axis of the toki was tied to the cross member of the upper frame work so that it could pivot back and forwards, like a swing . Heavy rocks were tied to each side of the long axis at its lowest point to give momentum . The toki was pulled back and released so that the cutting edge bit into the wood that was weakened by fire . It could take two to three weeks to cut down a large tree in this manner . </P> <P> The head of the tree and branches were removed then the hull was roughly shaped in situ using fire and hand adzes, under the guidance of the chief designer . A stone adze was used by relatively gentle but regular and repeated blows . The head was soaked in water to make the binding swell and hold the stone blade more firmly . Once the shaping was complete, the log of 3--4 tonnes was pulled by teams of men to a stream or river using multiple ropes made from raupō . Some men pulled the waka forward while others restrained it on downhill slopes . Accidents at this stage were apparently common . Saplings were used as skids and rollers over uneven ground . </P> <P> The final shaping was done closer to the papakainga to be nearer to food . A waka could take a year to make if the construction went smoothly, but it could be abandoned if there was an accident or a death of an important person . Such abandoned, uncompleted waka have been found in post-contact times . Most large waka were built in several main interlocking sections and stitched together with flax rope . Small pegs were put in the holes which swelled and sealed when wet . Tree gum could also seal the holes . A large finished waka weighed about three tonnes and could remain in use for many decades . All large waka had names and were objects of pride and admiration . </P> <P> The image above shows a waka taua with unusually high freeboard . A noticeable feature of a loaded waka taua was its very low freeboard of 400--500 mm which made the vessel unseaworthy in all but good weather, despite the presence of one or two young men on board dedicated to bailing . The normal timber used, Totara, is a lightweight native podocarp, which retains its natural oils even when cut down . This prevented the timber opening up and splitting . Angela Ballara noted that they only put to sea when it was fine . One voyage across the stormy Cook Strait, was delayed for a week while the travellers waited for fine weather . The missionary William Williams, son of Henry Williams, noted that the voyage of a waka taua was a leisurely affair due to the requirements of foraging for food and waiting for fine weather . </P>

The longest canoe in the world was constructed in new zealand