Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti and Te Aurere

Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti and Te Aurere setting sail for Hawai’i

The poroporoaki (farewell) for twenty crew members boarding two traditional waka Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti and Te Aurere setting sail for Rapanui, Hawai’i and was an emotional one, as whānau and well-wishers gathered at Auckland’s Viaduct on August 17, 2012. With no GPS systems on board or support vessel in sight, the waka are using the same traditional navigation methods (that includes tidal and astronomical charts) utilised by our tupuna when they set sail across the Pacific.

Being led through.

Hekenukumai Busby leading Waka crew through Guard of Honour 17 August, 2012.

Some of the waka crew.

Front view, Te Aurere Waka, Departure Auckland 17 August, 2012.

Te Aurere (foreground) and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti Waka, Before departure, Auckland 17 August 2012

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.