![Two Māori waka at Ngāruawāhia, New Zealand.](http://static.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/images/000/000/476/full/Waka-at-Ngaruawahia20151103-3955-1fepwyw.jpg?1674164369)
Waiata are important to iwi because they help establish the link between people and a particular place. For example, Te Puea Herangi describes paddling a canoe to Ngāruawāhia, to Tūrangawaewae, the footstool of the Kīngitanga.
Waiata are important to iwi because they help establish the link between people and a particular place. For example, Te Puea Herangi describes paddling a canoe to Ngāruawāhia, to Tūrangawaewae, the footstool of the Kīngitanga.