October 15, 2019
Tuia 250 flotilla chance to swap traditional knowledge
An Aitanga a Hauiti leader says the arrival of the Tuia 250 flotilla has been a chance to learn about sailing in all its forms, as well as recall the stories around the 1769 visit to Uawa-Tolage Bay by Lieutenant James Cook and the Tahitian navigator Tupaia.
The flotilla including four waka hourua, the Endeavour replica and two other tall ships was welcomed to Cooks Cove Sunday morning, and activities are continuing.
The crew of the Tahitian va’a Fa’afaite, spent time in the cave where navigator Tupaia stayed.
Wayne Ngata says there is a lot of interaction between the various tall ships and the waka.
“There’s Māori on there, absolute kids, on those vessels. There’s a camaraderie among people who sail because you need that support on the water and you like to work out how people sail, what are the technologies on board, so our crew members were all over the Endeavour and the other ships just to see how they did stuff,” he says.
The flotilla leaves Uawa tomorrow bound for Whitianga-Mercury Bay.
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