News Archives
AUGUST: Sacred Waka Undertakes 10,000 Nautical Miles Using the Stars, Moon and Sun.
Waka Tapu: Half way to first stop. Tuesday 29 August 2012.
Te Aurere and Ngahiraka-mai-tawhiti are almost half way to their first stop. It's Day 13 for the waka-hourua. They've sailed almost 900 nautical miles into the Pacific Ocean, and according to one crew member, both crews are in good spirits
Waka sailing by sun, moon, stars. Tuesday 28 August 2012.
Two waka headed for Rapanui (Easter Island) are making slow but steady progress despite some unfavourable weather conditions.
"We are currently 581 nautical miles along the courseline and doing approx 4.5 knots. Sun out, crew smiling!" said captain and navigator, Jack Thatcher via satellite phone today... Thatcher is navigating using only the sun, moon and stars...
Waka Tapu: battered by the winds and sea. Tuesday 28 August 2012.
Despite the challenges the sea and the winds have thrown at them, the two waka hourua are still on the right path to Rapanui. The captain of Ngahiraka-mai-tawhiti, Jack Thatcher says the rage of the waters and the harsh winds have been challenging. Ngahiraka and Te Aurere are currently heading in a southern direction hoping to set the winds in their favour. 17 It's Day 11 of their eight week journey.
Waka tapu battle strong winds. Sunday 26 August 2012, 1:09pm
The two double-hulled waka, Te Aurere and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti, sailed out of Auckland nine days ago without modern navigational aids in a bid to re-create a Maori ancestral journey.
Strong easterlies have forced two traditional waka to backtrack in search of favourable winds on their epic journey across the Pacific to Rapanui (Easter Island).
The two double-hulled waka, Te Aurere and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti, sailed out of Auckland nine days ago without modern navigational aids in a bid to re-create a Maori ancestral journey.
In a navigator's update on the project's Facebook page, a crew member said the waka had been making very little progress eastward in the face of strong winds and unsettled seas.
"Conditions aren't too favourable. We've made the decision to head south and hopefully pick up some favourable winds there."
Waka Tapu: battered by the winds and sea. Tuesday 21 August 2012.
It's day four for the two waka hourua, Ngaahiraka-mai-tawhiti and Te Aurere, sailing to Rapanui. We get a report from Captain Jack Thatcher.
Waka tapu battle strong winds. Sunday 26 August 2012, 1:09pm
The two double-hulled waka, Te Aurere and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti, sailed out of Auckland nine days ago without modern navigational aids in a bid to re-create a Maori ancestral journey.
Strong easterlies have forced two traditional waka to backtrack in search of favourable winds on their epic journey across the Pacific to Rapanui (Easter Island).
The two double-hulled waka, Te Aurere and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti, sailed out of Auckland nine days ago without modern navigational aids in a bid to re-create a Maori ancestral journey.
In a navigator's update on the project's Facebook page, a crew member said the waka had been making very little progress eastward in the face of strong winds and unsettled seas.
"Conditions aren't too favourable. We've made the decision to head south and hopefully pick up some favourable winds there."
Waka Tapu: battered by the winds and sea. Tuesday 21 August 2012.
It's day four for the two waka hourua, Ngaahiraka-mai-tawhiti and Te Aurere, sailing to Rapanui. We get a report from Captain Jack Thatcher.
Pacific kumara route being tracked. (News Broadcast and online) 12:45pm
The Chilean ambassador to New Zealand says new joint research involving Maori and indigenous Easter Islanders will get to the root of where early Polynesians first found the kumara.
Two doubled-hulled waka set sail from Auckland on Friday to Rapanui (Easter Island) to retrace ancient voyages made across the Pacific.
The Waka Tapu expedition is a joint project between Easter Island indigenous leaders, the Chilean government and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.
Ambassador Isauro Torres says there is evidence to show the sweet potato grown in Aotearoa originally comes from South America...
Waka Tapu voyage will be iwi changing. (News Broadcast and online)
One of the organisers of the Waka Tapu expedition believes the 10-week voyage by two double-hulled canoes from Aotearoa to Rapanui-Easter Island will have a long term effect on all iwi.
Te Aurere and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti left Auckland on Friday and are already more than 300 kilometres east of Auckland on their way to their first stopping point in French Polynesia, which they will find through traditional navigation methods.
Karl Johnstone, the director of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute which is funding the trip, says the 22 crew members come from all parts of the country...
Waka crews set off on 10,000-mile ocean journey. Yvonne Tahana, 5:30 am
Johnson Tumai-Totorewa, 17, wasn't worried about the potential for 20-metre ocean swells as he embarked on a 10,000-nautical mile voyage on a waka hourua, double hulled sailing canoe today...
Waka set off on 10,000-mile trip to easter Island.
Twenty fearless sailors received a spectacular send off on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour yesterday, surrounded by a flotilla of Navy vessels and traditional waka as they set off on an extreme ocean adventure.
The Waka Tapu crew members will spend the next six to eight weeks battling huge ocean swells aboard two traditional waka hourua (double-hulled sailing canoes) as they sail towards Rapanui (Easter Island)....
About 500 friends and family lined Auckland's Viaduct basin to farewell the crew members of two waka sailing to Rapanui (Easter Island).
The two waka left on Friday to start the journey using traditional means of navigation, such as the stars and sun, in the style of the Maori voyagers who sailed to Aotearoa.
One of the crew members, Regan Fairlie, says he's nervous about the voyage but is looking forward to passing on his knowledge when he returns.
New Zealand Government
Hon Chris Tremain
Associate Minister of Tourism
17 August 2012 Media Statement
Waka Tapu leaves on historic voyage.
Associate Minister of Tourism Chris Tremain says the departure of Waka Tapu this morning from Waitemata Harbour to Rapanui (Easter Island) was an historic moment for New Zealand.
The two waka hourua were guided out of the Harbour by an impressive flotilla including Royal New Zealand Navy vessels, waka tua (war canoes) and other waka hourua...
Waka Tapu voyage fulfil 20 year dream - news video
A dream almost 20 years in the making is finally coming into fruition for Hekenukumai Busby. The master builder and navigator's two waka hourua, Te Aurere and Ngahiraka, launched from Auckland today as they set sail for Rapanui. Busby wasn't on board but it's the final stage of his quest to retrace his ancestors' journeys to all the major islands in the pacific triangle.
Waka crews set off on 18,500km voyage. Friday 17 Aug 5:14pm
Two traditional waka hourua left Auckland this morning to sail 18,500km without any navigational instruments...
Waka's epic Pacific journey starts. Friday 17 Aug 5:14pm
Two traditional Maori canoes, or wakas, set off on today from Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre with a goal of reaching Easter Island (Rapanui) in six to eight weeks.
The two double-hulled Maori canoes will sail nearly 19,000 kilometres without modern navigational aids, recreating Maori ancestral journeys.
Crew members will take turns sleeping in small compartments for three or four hours at a time, and will fish constantly for fresh food...
Traditional navigation for sailors to Easter Island. Yvonne Tahana, 10:33 am
Two traditonal waka hourua are getting ready to sail to Easter Island - on a beautiful day, one of their captains is praying for wind...
Waka Tapu expedition expected to unite NZ and Chile
Chile’s envoy to New Zealand says an epic waka voyage from Aotearoa to Easter Island, or Rapanui will bring the two countries even closer - despite being separated by the vast Pacific Ocean...
Waka leaves on historic voyage to Easter Island Friday 17 August ONE News
A pair of waka headed for Easter Island have left Auckland escorted by an impressive flotilla including two Navy ships.
The two double-hulled waka manned by 24 men and five women left Waitemata Harbour on a 10,000 nautical mile voyage to Rapanui (Easter Island) just before midday.
Waka Tapu set out for 18,500km voyage Friday 17 August
By 3 News online staff
Two traditional waka hourua left Auckland this morning to sail 18,500km without any navigational instruments.
The 17-member crews of the double-hulled waka will use the sun, stars, moon ocean currents, and animals to guide them to Rapanui, also known as Easter Island, on a six to eight week voyage.
Waka set to follow ancestors' travels.
Mother-of-five Ani Hera is about to find out what she's made of. She is due to set sail today from Auckland's Viaduct Harbour towards Easter Island in a double-hulled waka similar to the craft that ferried her ancestors to New Zealand...
Waka Tapu set out for 18,500km voyage. Fri 17 August 5:15pm Source: TV3
Two traditional waka hourua left Auckland this morning to sail 18,500km without any navigational instruments...
Another historic voyage begins. Thursday 16 August 9:51 am
A new chapter in seafaring history will begin tomorrow morning when two double-hukked voyaging canoes from New Zealand leave the Auckland Viaduct Harbour for Rapa Nui (Easter Island), using only wind and traditional navigation techniques to get there...
Polynesian Navigation: Waka Tapu sets sail for Rapanui. 16 August 2012
The Histotoric Waka Tapu (sacred canoe) expedition will set sail from Auckland on August 17th bound for Rapanui (Easter Island) and those aboard will use only the stars, moon, sun, ocean currents, birds and marine life to guide them during their 10,000 nautical mile voyage...
Guided by the forces of nature. Peter de Graaf | Thursday 16 August 2012 9:01
Northland seafarers hope to make history this week by sailing a pair of double-hulled voyaging canoes from New Zealand to Rapanui (Easter Island) using only wind and traditional navigation techniques...
Waka Crew Prepares to Sail Into the History Books.
Rotorua, 14 August 2012 - New Zealand’s Olympic success on the water proves what a strong seafaring nation we are – and later this week another group of Kiwis will embark on one of our nation’s most extreme nautical challenges; Waka Tapu (sacred canoe)...
Women part of waka crew to Rapanui, 9:12 am
It's widely assumed that only men sail on waka hourua, but three women will be joining in on the voyage of two double-hulled waka to Rapanui. Raiha Johns caught up with them to talk of their roles on waka.
Waka sail for Rapa Nui, 9:12 am
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...
Waka sail for Rapa Nui., 9:12 am
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...
Waka crew pack for long voyage to Rapanui.
Two double-hulled canoes will depart for Rapanui this week, on a 10-week voyage using traditional navigation techniques. Raiha Johns caught up with some of the 24-strong crew as they prepare for the journey.
Waka poised for epic trip.
Sat, 11 Aug 2012, 12:59p.m. - The lead navigator for a traditional waka expedition to Easter Island is hoping for a good push from westerly winds on the first leg out of Auckland on Friday...
Waka Warriors.
No cover and no mod cons for up to 16 weeks and 10,000 nautical miles alone in the fearsome Pacific Ocean. "No thanks" would be the reaction of most mariners, but not the 24 brave crew counting down to this month's historically significant Waka Tapu expedition which will see two waka hourua (double- hulled waka) attempt an epic return voyage between Auckland and Rapanui (Easter Island)...
Traditional Voyage.
Seafarers hope to make history this week by sailing a pair of double-hulled voyaging canoes to Rapanui (Easter Island)...
Epic sail using just stars, moon and sun.
A group of intrepid New Zealanders aged 19 to 80 will sail across the Pacific Ocean in traditional waka hourua (double hulled sailing canoes) using only the stars, moon, sun, ocean currents, birds and marine life to guide them...
Waka Poised for Epic Trip 11 August 2012, 10:36 am
The lead navigator for a traditional waka expedition to Easter Island is hoping for a good push from westerly winds on the first leg out of Auckland on Friday...
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/14525679/waka-poised-for-epic-trip
http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8514647/waka-poised-for-epic-trip
Residents setting sail
Five Tauranga residents including navigator Jack Thatcher are among the 22-strong crew chosen to sail two waka hourua (double-hulled canoes) across the expansive Pacific Ocenam withour modern navigational tools...
Four to join Pacific waka voyage crew
Four East Coast seafarers have been selected to join a crew that will sail two double-hulled voyaging canoes across the Pacific... without modern navigational tools...
Waka poised for epic trip. Two traditional waka launch in Auckland on Friday, heading for Easter Island in re-creation of Mori ancestral journey.
... Navigator Jack Thatcher, of Tauranga, has had 20 years' experience in traditional navigating and says the first leg will be challenging because of chilly temperatures but the winds are forecast to be favourable...
Waka Tapu crew members announced.
After an intensive four month training programme, a crew comprised of 17 men and five women has been chosen to sail two waka hourua (double-hulled canoes) across the expansive Pacific Ocean without modern navigational tools...
Chilean government welcomes Maori waka project - 10:57am
The Maori Arts and Crafts Institute says the support shown by Chile for Maori to build a close bond with Rapanui, or Easter Island, demonstrates a willingness to reconnnect two cultures separated only by the Pacific Ocean.
Rapanui is a territory of Chile administrated from the mainland...
Michelle Hewitson Interview: Hek Busby
On Wednesday morning the esteemed kaumatua, celestial navigator and great waka builder Hekenukumai Ngaiwi Puhipi Busby, made his way slowly but steadily, if a little gingerly, through the lobby of the SkyCity Grand...
Te Karere Maori News - 13 Aug - 23 Oct - Watch videos on YouTube.
3 News captures the departure of Waka Tapu from Auckland Viaduct.
People celebrate the departure of Waka Tapu from Auckland Viaduct.
Te Kaea Maori Television News - Monday 13 - Friday 17 August 2012.
Watch the video on Stuff.co.nz - Friday 17 August 2012.
Watch the video - 3 News video on demand - Friday 17 August 2012.
Watch - Waka crew prepares for long voyage - Tues. 14 August 2012.