An estimated 150.000 Kiwi’s with Dutch heritage live in Aotearoa New Zealand. They are crucial to the cultural exchange between our countries. An example of this is the yearly Dutch Week, when Dutch communities organize events all around the country. But the events are not just for Dutch Kiwi’s! Dutch Week highlights the strong ties between the Netherlands and New Zealand and is just one example of cultural exchange. 

Even more special is the Māori waka taua (war canoe) named Te Hono Ki Aotearoa, or The Link to New Zealand. The beautiful canoe was carved by the late sir Hector Busby from a 600-year-old Kauri tree.  In 2010 this waka was ceremonially gifted as a permanent loan to Wereldmuseum Leiden, the Netherlands Ethnology Museum in Leiden. It is the only waka taua in the Northern Hemisphere, representative of the strong bonds between the Dutch and Māori. 

But this beautiful piece of culture does not just belong to the museum! The waka crew from the Royal Students Rowing Association ‘Njord’ of Leiden University, are the caretakers of Te Hono Ki Aotearoa. Each year, Dutch crew members travel to Aotearoa New Zealand to take part in the Waitangi Day waka pageant. During this special ceremonial event these crew members participate in the rowing and enjoy the hospitality of Māori rowers. They live, eat, and drink together and the Dutch crew members learn Te Reo Māori.  

In 2025, the crew not only commemorated the Treaty of Waitangi, they also celebrated the 15-year anniversary of Te Hono Ki Aotearoa in Leiden. It is a beautiful  tradition and we are very proud to host the waka in the Netherlands. A documentary on the commissioning, making and handover of the ceremonial waka has been made by Dutch-Kiwi filmmaker Jan Bieringo, called: “Te Hono ki Aotearoa”. 

While the waka taua brings Māori culture to the Netherlands, if you want to experience some real Dutch culture in New Zealand, you could consider visiting a real Dutch windmill! In Foxton there is a windmill based on traditional Dutch building plans, in Foxton. Here you can find some slice of Dutch culture, including a museum and a shop where you can buy real Dutch treats, in the heart of New Zealand.