Volunteers train as Tairawhiti's double-hulled waka takes shape

GAINING THE KNOWLEDGE: Rob Hewitt (far left), who survived four days in the sea near Kapiti Island some years ago, and Rotorua-based Pererika Makiha (far right) ran a Coastguard training course for 30 people in Gisborne over the weekend. The aim of the course was to raise potential crews' nautical qualifications so people are ready once Gisborne’s educational waka hourua Tairawhiti is home after a launch in September or October. Pictures supplied

THE launch of Tairawhiti Voyaging Trust’s educational waka hourua is in sight.

There has been great progress with the double-hulled waka named Tairawhiti and over the weekend 30 people keen to be volunteer crew took part in Coastguard training courses.

Trust chief executive Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp said the courses were for day skipper, maritime VHF radio operator and basic sea/water survival certificates. Nine of the participants also completed the MRROC commercial radio operator certificate.

“Two friends of mine came here to run the courses, held from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime. Rob Hewitt, who survived four days in the sea near Kapiti Island, some years ago, was one and Pererika Makiha from Rotorua was the other.”

The aim of the course was to raise potential crews' nautical qualifications so people are ready once Gisborne’s waka is launched.

Mr Nepia-Clamp said although cold for the basic sea survival practical, everything went really well.

He has been visiting the Auckland boat-builder’s yard at regular intervals to monitor progress.

“I have been going up every time there is a significant development. Tairawhiti is now three-quarters complete.”

One hull is totally fitted out with bulkheads, bunks and shelving, and the other hull is about to be fitted out.

“The crossbeams, rigging, spars, booms and masts are all finished and the steering paddle is in production. The cabin is 90 percent complete.

“Since starting on the major construction, they have been very busy in the boat yard. Initially we had to wait a bit for workshop space because they had so many jobs on, but once they started Tairawhiti, they have been ripping into it.”

The launch of the waka is anticipated to be in September or October in Auckland.

“When a completion date is confirmed, we will arrange the launch to have the best possible representation at the occasion. We will hope to strike a date when the most people can attend.”

After the launch will be sea trials.

“Once the boat yard and the trust are happy with Tairawhiti’s performance during the sea trials, we will wait for a weather window to bring Tairawhiti home.”

• Tairawhiti Voyaging Trust’s twin-hulled voyaging canoe will be a floating classroom providing a water-based Outward Bound-type adventure.

The trust has raised $1.2 million for the project.

Education will focus around the region’s unique voyaging history, with a scientific component on conservation and sustaining the oceans.

The waka hourua will become an integral component of the Tairawhiti Navigations Project.

Tairawhiti will play an essential role in the thousand-year celebration of Polynesian/Maori voyaging planned to take place in 2019 a week before the Te Ha 250th anniversary of Cook’s Endeavour arrival. The trust’s vision is for the waka to be available to every school student in Tairawhiti and, by association, connect every family.

It is envisaged that during the school holidays the waka hourua will be tourism-focused to help fund its maintenance.