The waka was captained by Rākaihautū, who was accompanied by his wife Waiariki-o-āio, their son Te Rakihouia,[a] and a man named Matiti.
[5] He decided to give the canoe to the renowned tohunga kōkōrangi (astronomer) Matiti, who then gave it to Rākaihautū and encouraged him to use it to explore new lands.
[5][6] On the journey to the South Island the heavens and the ocean blocked the canoe's path, until Rākaihautū chanted a karakia and cut a passage with his adze,[8] Kapakitua.
[10] From Nelson, Rākaihautū and his wife separated from Te Rakihouia and began to explore the Southern Alps down to Foveaux Strait, digging out the island's great lakes and waterways as he went.
[9] Both parties moved back up the east coast from the southerly points that they each landed,[5] meeting at Waihao, near the Waitaki River where the canoe now makes up part of the riverbed at Wai Kakahi (near Glenavy).