Traditional Mōkihi (mohi, mōkī or mogi) rafts
Rights: Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Published 31 August 2022 Size: 3 MB Referencing Hub media

Mōkihi (mohi, mōkī or mogi) are rafts made of bundles of raupō, flax stalks or rushes. They were an essential means of transport for early Māori travelling the waterways of Te Waipounamu. Designed to be light, buoyant and easily constructed, they allowed for crossing waterways in search of resources such as kai and pounamu.

Related resources

Ngāi Tahu Mahinga Kai video

  • Mōkihi – featuring mōkihi expert Joe Wakefield
  • Download a PDF of the video transcript here

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