Nga Waka

The name Nga Waka was chosen to reflect their sense of place. The name is taken from Nga Waka A Kupe which translates as The Canoes of Kupe. Three hills, which lie like upturned canoes, form a backdrop for the town of Martinborough. Legend has it that the hills were formed by the three canoes of the Polynesian explorer Kupe, carried inland by a huge earthquake and coming to rest in the valley behind Martinborough.

Nga Waka was founded by the Parkinson family with the planting of the Home Block vineyard in 1988. Roger Parkinson has made every wine since the first vintage in 1993 and Vineyard Manager, Mike Kershaw, has tended the vines since 1996.

Our name is taken from Nga Waka A Kupe (The Canoes of Kupe). The three hills, which lie side by side like upturned canoes, and form the backdrop for the town of Martinborough and its surrounds. Legend has it that the hills were formed by the three canoes of the famed Polynesian explorer Kupe, which were carried inland by a huge earthquake and came to rest in the valley behind Martinborough.

Thirty years on Nga Waka remains family owned, now by Jay Short and Peg Dupey. Roger is still focused on making wines that capture the essence of Martinborough in a restrained and elegant style and with the ability to age.