She is over 4 m (13 ft) long, and is made of harakeke (New Zealand flax) and edged in feathers from native bird species.
Te Rā has been part of the British Museum's collection for 200 years; in 2023, she returned to New Zealand on loan.
[6] She is on display in the Auckland War Memorial Museum from 18 November 2023 until 17 August 2025, alongside two sibling sails: a small-scale replica, Hine Mārama, and a full-size replica, Māhere Tū ki te Rangi.
[8] Te Rā is made up of 13 panels woven from strips of harakeke (New Zealand flax).
[2][3] The top of the sail and the streamer are edged with wing feathers from kāhu (swamp harrier) and kererū (wood pigeon).