Tuia 250 back on the road

The Tuia 250 flotilla, including the replica Endeavour, R Tucker Thompson and Fa'afaite, from Tahiti, hoving over the horizon in the Bay of Islands. Photo / Peter de Graaf

A follow-up to last year's Tuia 250 commemorations, in the form of an interactive roadshow, has begun a tour of 15 towns, schools and marae around Northland.

The Tuia Matauranga Roadshow toured the country in 2019 as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the first significant encounters between Māori and Europeans. The centrepiece of the commemorations was a fleet of vessels that followed Captain James Cook's route in 1769, including a replica of Cook's Endeavour, Far North tall ship the R Tucker Thompson, and several waka hourua (double-hulled ocean-going canoes), as used by Polynesian seafarers to explore the Pacific.

One of the waka, Fa'afaite, sailed from Tahiti to take part.

The roadshow celebrates the knowledge of Pacific voyagers and navigators and the meeting of two great voyaging traditions, as well as examining the changes that followed the arrival of Europeans.

Learning activities include activity books, mobile app-supported activities, conversation cards and a virtual-reality experience.

The updated version of the roadshow features stories specific to Te Tai Tokerau, and has been created by the Te Au Marie Trust and the Ministry of Education.

It began its Northland tour in Whangārei on Monday, and will be in Kawakawa's main street car park today and tomorrow, 10am to 3pm, then Kororareka (Russell School) on Monday and Tuesday next week (3pm to 4.45pm) and the Kerikeri Domain on Friday and Saturday (also 3pm to 4.45pm).

From there it will travel to Kāeo (Whangaroa College, October 19-20), Taipā Area School (October 22-23), Kaitaia (Te Ahu, November 2-3), Ngataki (Waiora Marae, November 5-6), Kohukohu (Beach Rd, November 9-10), and Kaikohe (Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, November 16-17).

All times at those locations will be 3pm to 4.45pm.