Photos: Tuia 250 flotilla at Mangahawea Bay

A pou is blessed at Mangahawea Bay, on Moturua Island, while the waka hourua Haunui waits at anchor. Photo / Peter de Graaf

One of the highlights of the Tuia 250 flotilla's visit to the Bay of Islands was a ceremony at Mangahawea Bay on Moturua Island, site of one of the oldest known human settlements in New Zealand, where one of the Tahitian sailors unveiled a pou signifying the site's importance.

The Tahitian ocean-going canoe Fa'afaite follows the Maori waka hourua Haunui and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti to Mangahawea Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

The waka hourua Haunui on its way from Rawhiti to Mangahawea Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Sir Hekenukumai Busby's waka hourua Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti leaves Rawhiti ahead of a pou unveiling ceremony at Mangahawea Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Sir Hekenukumai Busby's waka hourua Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti on its way from Rawhiti to Mangahawea Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Land ahoy! Te Kaurinui Parata (Ngatiwai, Whangarei) keeps an eye on the water as the flotilla approaches Mangahawea Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Whangarei's Jesse Samu (lead singer/guitarist of the band Otium) keeps the crew on Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti entertained. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Teenage sailors paddle back to the Spirit of New Zealand after an on-shore challenge. Photo / Peter de Graaf

The tall ships, from left, Endeavour, Spirit of New Zealand and R Tucker Thompson arrive at Mangahawea Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

A pou is blessed at Mangahawea Bay, on Moturua Island, while the waka hourua Haunui waits at anchor. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Ngati Kuta kaumatua Matutaera Clendon speaks during the unveiling ceremony for the Mangahawea Bay pou. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Rawhiti kaumatua Ned Peita speaks during the unveiling ceremony for the Mangahawea Bay pou. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Ngati Kuta kaumatua Matutaera Clendon speaks at Mangahawea Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Teva Teihotaata, from the Tahitian waka Fa'afaite, unveils a pou signifying the importance of Mangahawea Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

DoC cultural advisor Kipa Munro (Ngati Rehia) with Teva Teihotaata from the Tahitian waka Fa'afaite after the unveiling of the pou. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Whangarei's Te Kaurinui Parata (Ngatiwai) at Mangahawea Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Russell's Ella Weehuizen helped sail the waka hourua Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti from Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Waka at anchor off Mangahawea Bay, Moturua Island. Photo / Peter de Graaf

The Spirit of New Zealand leaves Mangahawea Bay. Photo / Peter de Graaf

A replica of the Endeavour at anchor off Motuarohia Island, where some of the most significant encounters between Captain Cook and Maori took place. Photo / Peter de Graaf

Kaihoe practice in the great waka Ngatokimatawhaorua ahead of the fleet's arrival at Waitangi. Photo / Peter de Graaf