October 06, 2019
Tuia 250 unleashes celebration of waka
Thousands of people have joined in events in Tūranganui a Kiwa to welcome the waka hourua gathering for the Tuia 250 flotilla and to celebrate the feats of the Polynesian voyagers of the past.
High winds on Saturday morning meant Haunui, Ngahiraka mai Tawhiti and the Tahitian waka, Fa'afaite had to berth in Gisborne’s inner harbour rather than sailing in to Waikanae Beach where the pōhiri was held.
The group from French Polynesia played a key role in proceedings, handing over a kōhatu or stone carried on the Fa'afaite to symbolise the mauri of Tupaia, the ariki from Raiatea who guided Lieutenant James Cook and the Endeavour to Aotearoa.
Yesterday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern accompanied by Associate Education Minister Kelvin Davis opened an interactive roadshow that will visit communities to encourage conversations about Aotearoa New Zealand's dual heritage and shared future.
It includes a virtual waka hourua experience, holograms of taonga from Te Papa, and the chance for tamariki to make their own hologram.
It also focuses on other historical stories including the different encounters that occured.
Tomorrow the replica of the Endeavour and other tall ships arrive to form the flotilla that will then sail to other places visited by Cook.
Copyright © 2019, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com