Nga Waka was established at Martinborough in 1988. We are a family-owned winegrower producing small volumes of fine Martinborough wine from estate-grown grapes. Our name is taken from Nga Waka A Kupe (The Canoes of Kupe). The three hills, which lie side by side like upturned canoes, 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.