Cultural visits for crew after Pacific journey

The waka Te Matau a Maui (second from left), tied up at Aitutaki with other visiting waka. Photo / Murray Rosser

The crew of the Ahuriri-based waka Te Matau a Maui have been taking part in a series of cultural and community programmes over the past week as part of the Te Manava Vaka Festival, which has been staged to celebrate 50 years of Cook Islands self-governance.

The waka arrived firstly in Rarotonga on May 22, after setting out on May 8 from its home moorings at West Quay.

"Te Matau arrived safely, and crew happy, into Rarotonga on Friday," one of the 16 crew aboard posted on the Te Matau a Maui Voyaging Trust's website.

After spending four days in Rarotonga, they made the short journey north to Aitutaki with the other waka, arriving on May 29.

The initial stages of the voyage from New Zealand were beset by light winds, which slowed the craft, but after making contact with the other three New Zealand-based waka heading up into the Pacific for the event, they picked up speed and arrived safely.

The voyage was made using only traditional navigation systems of stars, Sun, Moon and sea currents.

The waka's navigator, Piripi Smith, said the crew had a busy schedule of school and community visits to carry out.

Hawke's Bay man Murray Rosser was holidaying in Aitutaki and watched as the waka were welcomed into the harbour.

"They are enjoying the local hospitality," he said.

After celebration events on Aitutaki, the waka will begin a voyage through the Cook Islands before heading back to Hawke's Bay in about three weeks.