Two traditional double-hulled canoes from Hawaii are nearing Aotearoa on their final leg of a worldwide voyage to raise awareness about the importance of looking after the moana and the marine environment.
The Hokule'a and Hikianalia are due to arrive in the Bay of Islands in mid-November. Photo: Hokule'a Crew / Facebook
Polynesian canoes the Hokule'a and Hikianalia began the Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage in 2013 and today were about 200 nautical miles north-east of Waitangi in Northland.
Nainoa Thompson, a traditional Hawaiian master navigator, would be in the Bay of Islands next week for the arrival of the wa'a to help spread the crew's message of asking people to protect the ocean from pollution.
The canoes were due on 15 November and would be welcomed with a powhiri as crews come ashore.
The Hokule'a first visted Aotearoa 40 years ago and inspired Maori waka builders and navigators to reignite the ancient art of ocean voyaging.
The canoes would stay in New Zealand over the summer before starting their next voyage to Australia, Indonesia and across to Africa.
