Waka sail for Rapa Nui

Two Far North waka will set sail from the Auckland Viaduct at 9.30 on Friday morning, bound for Rapa Nui (Easter Island), after many months of planning and training .

Meticulous preparations had been made for the voyage, which had been given the name 'Waka Tapu,' by Te Tai Tokerau Tarai Waka Inc. and its partner the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, spokesman Mike Harding said.

Te Aurere was the waka tapu, with the tapu to be lifted when it reaches Rapa Nui Island.

"Both Te Aurere and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti will be on the voyage, and will call at such places as Tahiti and Rarotonga on the return voyage," Mr Harding said.

"There will be 12 crew on each waka, male only on Te Aurere until the tapu is lifted at Rapa Nui, then female crew members on Te Aurere as well as Ngahiraka.

"We are really excited about this voyage, as for us it will close the Polynesian Triangle," he added.

"This is something we have wanted to do for many years but had proved too difficult. Now, with the NZMACI on board, our dream is about to come true. Hekenukumai (master waka builder and navigator Hec Busby) is planning to be aboard Te Aurere when it sails into Rapa Nui. Then for him his dream will be complete."

It would also be an historic voyage; it was unclear when a traditional Maori sailing waka from Aotearoa had last made it, but it would have been many centuries ago.

"We are pleased and honoured that a contingence from Hawai'i will be in Aotearoa for the departure," he said.

"The Hawaiians sailed to Rapa Nui from Hawai'i a few years ago. What a real honour to have them with us on the day."

More information about the voyage can be found at www.wakatapu.com, which features 'waka tracker,' which will enable the voyage to be followed. Any messages sent to te.aurere@xtra.co.nz will be passed on to the crews.