Waka Update

16 May 2013 - from Mahara Nicholas

Both Waka sailing alongside each other again. Crew buzzing. Good vibes! Can't wait to see the whanau. Arohanui. Mahara Nicholas

13 May 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Update from Jacko received at 1.00am

SHEILAMAU!! Both waka caught fish today. Ngahiraka - nice size albacor and a mahimahi pulled on by tamahau; and, Te Aurere - a couple of mahimahi. We also celebrated Kanco's birthday!! We're boosting at the mo at about 6.5 knots... yehaa!! ETA Thursday/Friday, roll into the beach Saturday... fingers crossed... and toes!!

07 May 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Update from Jacko received at 7.00pm

Kia Ora, we have just now passed our original hove-to point before the storm. So an 8-day circle has been completed! Now we can say we are on our way home!! We have had west-south-west winds. I will make an ETA at end of the week. We celebrated Haimona's 25th birthday with fizzy's and lollies and a good waiata session. Happy Birthday big-boy!!

04 May 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora, update from Jacko received at 7.00pm

Both waka have been thru a heavy front over the last few days, today tho the sun is shining the wind is blowing and everyone is in great spirits. Have been in touch with Te Aurere they too are well they are heading towards us and i wld like to say...... both waka look like a laundry shop, as every spare piece of area has something hanging on it, lol. Once Te Aurere is close enough we will continue our journey home. It is fair to say the arrival date has been impacted but at this stage we want to sail and catch some of this great wind, i will update in the next day or so re our arrival. Send your karakia towards us whanau as we make our way home, nga mihi Te Aurere me Ngahiraka mai Tawhiti, Jacko

25 April 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora, update from Jacko received at 6.40am (local time)

Mahara led our dawn service for ANZAC commemorations. At sunrise and again at sunset We Will Remember Them!!

20 April 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora, we've covered just under 200 nautical miles. Both waka are sailing very well. Te Aurere has the lead. Hemi Eruera is our lead navigator. He is on AUrere and doing an awesome job. Had good wind to start when we left Raro but its died off. Hopefully conditions pick up and we'll be off again. We're currently doing 1.6 knots. Its been very light since about 4pm yesterday. The crew here on Ngahiraka are in good spirits. On board there's Mahara, Regan, awhi, eve, kaeo, poihakena, tamahou, serafina, haimona and myself. We've got a sweepstakes on for timeframe to get home. Range from 16 to 26 days!!!

17 April 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora ano tatou
Heres a quik update, we didn't go yesterday lol, we hve had to wait for a passport for one of our crew that should have arrived overnight.
Sooob another night in paradise staying at the Aotearoa Hostel.
I thought I might fill you all in on who is leading the crew.
The Leadership team is:
Hemi Eruera - Lead Navigator aboard Te Aurere. Hemi has been training at navigation for almost 10 years, he has successfully navigated 500 nm from Aotearoa to Norfolk Island and this is his chance to following the footsteps of his tupuna Nukutawhiti on Te Ara a Kupe following instruction handed down through the generations.
Kiharoa Nuku - Skipper Te Aurere
Mahara Nicholas - Skipper Te Aurere
The two Captains both from Tauranga Moana have been involve with Waka Kaupapa since their teens, as dedicated crew members of our Waka Takitimu and then training on Te Aurere
We should be hugely proud of their achievemnets
Anyway we leave today so expect us to arrive in about 3 weeks time, our first week is looking like champaine sailing weather so fingers crossed for a quick and uneventful passage :)

15 April 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Orana, Meitaki, Tena koutou
If you all have been waiting for an update my apologies as this one is being written on the night before departure from the Island paradise Rarotonga.
When we left Moorea two weeks ago now we had a very cruisy voyage of 10 days arriving last Tuesday night (9 April) at about 11pmish and heaving too to wait for sunrise.
Nga Hiraka led the way in in the morning sailing up to the entrance into Avarua looking for the beach we would anchor up by (My waka soul brother Tua Pitman told me the night before "the beach is by Trader Jacks" a particularly fond memory came into my mind of slight over indulgeance with lots of loud music but nothing of a beach, "trust me bro he says you will fit"). 
As we are coming in on a tow line cos our motor was out of action; and luckily with our sails up as the towline knot unravelled at the same time as my calm resolve. 
I saw the beach that Tua was standing in the middle of and from where I was standing it looked the size of a 20 cent coin. Well we parked Nga Hiraka on 10 cents worth of sand with ropes everyhwere doing a pretty fair imitation of THE WHEKE lol, Te Aurere took here 10 cents worth and the calm resolve returned :).
With hugs and greetings going on between the securing of our two beatiful ladies the anchorage proved to be just what the brother promised.
Our pohiri was lovely with the spokesman for Makea Karika Ariki our host calling the "Turou Turou Oro Mai" and leading us to our seats where we were privilidged to be welcomed by representatives of the Paramount Chiefs of Takitumu, Puaikura and Te Au o Tonga, welcoming us to Tumutevarovaro, Rarotonga.
New Zealand High Commissioner John Carter also spoke as did other rangatira.
Our stay has been short but eventful, having lunch with Te Ariki Makea Karika, dinner one night with the Aotearoa Society, giving interviews with a travelling correspondant for the BBC as well as with Mana Magazine Editor Derek Fox, an invitation to dinner an a show at Arorangi with Highland Paradise, where the writer realised he was missing another marital milestone, his 28th wedding anniversary (dont worry he has made up for the lapse with lots of FB lovey dovey's and skypings and a promise to not miss next years) :/ (had my fingers crossed for that one he he he.)
We leave apopo (tomorrow for you reo challenged lot :)) midday being our official departure time, probably means we will get away by 2.30 - 3.00pm CI Time.
Here is our sail plan:
1100nm or so, to Ra Whakarunga, thats slightly WSW, then;
750nm or so, to Nga Reo Whakarunga, thats SSW
Time wise at 100nm per day or better we will be home in like 18-19 days
This legs similarity to our first leg is in reverse mirror image mode, we will still be in the tropics until we turn down so the first 1100nm should be in reasonable conditions. When we turn down however it will start to get colder and colder, dont worry though as all the crew have experience now and will be ready for any challenges that come their way.
Look for us on that northern horizon from the 3rd or 4th if early or the 10th or 11th.
Our crew members are from the Far North, Tauranga Moana, Tainui, Whakatane, Torere, Uawa, Whanganui, Wellington and Te Pito o te Enua - Rapanui and apopo we find out if one of our Tahitian crew can come to Aotearoa with us.
Wow I have run out of things to say cept!!!
Ma te atua e manaaki, e tiaki
Tena koutou, Kia ora, Kia Orana, Meitaki, Arivariva

10 April 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Message from Jack, we are 5nm heaving too off Avarua Rarotonga :) we will head in 1st light. Looking foward to catching up with Tua and the Marumaru Atua whanau.
Jacko

11am 29 March 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora ano koutou tenei te karere, latest as, no te atamira a Waka Tapu,
 
Its thursday here in paradise Papetoai, Moorea two more days of preparation before we leave for Rarotonga and home.

All of our crew for this 600nm voyage to Rarotonga are in and ready to roll.
We will have 11 Maori, 2 Rapanui, and 7 Tahitian Maohi on board.
Our main purpose will be train and teach as much about voyaging and navigation to our island crew as we can, in the week or so of sailing that it will take us to get to Rarotonga.

These last few weeks here in Moorea have been great for our maintenance crew. Finishing the major repairs on Te Aurere has lifted the spirits and minor repairs to Nga Hiraka means both waka are in good shape for the last two legs home.

Its going to be difficult for M-Team to leave as they have been so well looked after here, but we have started saying our farewells to the locals with hakari being shared with the local Papetoai families that live close to the little port, with the Opunohu Bay Protection Association, who brought there kai to Claude and Gerrards house, our hosts. Last night we had a 21st birthday for our Rapanui Voyager Serafina, tino pai te ra whanau ki a ia, kua tae mai tona whanau ki te whakanui tona ra pakeke and the local families helped celebrate last night with Sera and her Mum.

Tomorrow is Good Friday and our last night will be spent with the Berkeley Institute who hosted our Waka and crew in Paopao when we first arrived.

The Tahitian waka Faafaite will sail to Moorea tomorrow so that they can sail a little with us when we leave on Saturday.

Conditions are looking light not much more than 5-10 knots of wind so my best estimate for arrival in Rarotonga will be around the 7th April possibly a day or two later, and we plan on staying no more than 4 -5 days. 

I must admit to a little homesickness lol so am looking forward ki te haerenga me te hokinga ki te kainga.

Noho ora mai
Jacko

10 March 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora ano tatou, 
We have just finished lifting Te Aurere out of the lagoon onto a drydock area so that we can fix a damaged keel. The lifting went well this morning even though at first sight of the crane I thought it might not be big enough for the job, how ever the crane owner and operator were great lifting our taonga very gently out of the water and putting her down in a safe place for us to do some work.

I have posted photos on my personal facebook (Jack Thatcher) that those of you that have access will be able to see and once I figure out how I will post photos on this site.

As I said in my last update we are getting close to the time when we will follow in the foot steps of our tupuna who set sail for Aotearoa, unfortunately we will not be able to sail to the outer islands in French Polynesia as some of our crew are getting to the end of their 90 day immigration exemption for French Polynesia, so our next port will be Rarotonga. We will need to be more onto it when we do our next excursion back to these beautiful islands and their wonderfully generous tangata whenua.

So as we look to the west south west, it is the instructions of Kupe that we will follow keeping the Sun and Venus to the right of our prow to find the great fish of Maui and call out He Ao He Ao He Aotearoa. Cheesy I know but still relevant :).

We will have we hope a muliti-Island crew when we sail for Rarotonga with the two from Rapanui sailing all the way to Aotearoa and 2 or 3 Tahitian whanau coming to Rarotonga that will be awesome.

Ok running outer things to say, so ... lastly we will be having a navigation seminar with the Faafaite crew and whanau tonight by Te Aurere which will be a relaxed look at the stars in their skies and an introduction to the star compass, it starts at sunset and ends at sunrise.

Kua oti
Ma te wa
Jacko

06 March 2013 @ 8:30am - from Jack Thatcher

Kiaorana koutou katoa
It has been a little while since my last update mainly because our crew have gone home to wait for the cyclone season to end. Five of our crew and our two Rapanui voyagers have stayed to look after the waka in Moorea.

I spent a very hectic 3 weeks at home, catching up with friends, going to the Kapaz, Te Matatini ki Te Waka a Te Arawa, tenei he mihi nui ki nga kaihaka o te motu me koutou hoki no te whenua moemoea, he mihi tino nui mo te miharotanga kua puta mai i runga te atamira ra, tena koutou katoa, I had to check out how my former employers were doing and can say I'm glad to be on the waka, and lastly I'm happy for the chilling out time spent with my family.

Anyway I'm back in paradise, Moorea, to get our waka ready for the last couply thousand miles home. The rest of our crew will be coming in a couple of weeks time. Looks like we will be able to take Te Aurere out of the water this weekend for some maintenance and if we can we will do the same for Nga Hiraka as she desperately needs a pimp my waka paint job, and as Haimona puts it we cant have them going home looking like the pohara cuzzies hakari shaggin wagon :) (that'll get me a growling lol).

Looks like I will be busy running some navigation wananga for the Faafaite Whanau and any of the locals that might be interested and our young Rapanui crew will be the main focus of the classes.

Thats all for now will keep a regular update going so that you are all in the know regards our progress towards home.

Ma te wa
Jacko

03 February 2013 @ 6:30pm - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora Tatou here's the latest from Wakatapu ..ki Moorea. Photos have been posted and I'm sure the crew have been filling you all in on the paradise we have landed in. The people and the place are wonderful beautiful and have been sheltering us and our Waka from the outside world for a little while. Most of our crew will be home by tomorrow with only a few of us staying on to look after the Waka. This is a good time then to acknowledge our two new skippers and their crews for bringing us toTahiti and Moorea safely. it's also a good time to thank our crew for their dedication to the kaupapa, to our Waka, and to ourselves, the best kinds of crews are those that become like whanau and who enjoy each others company, those that wouldn't think twice about helping each other when required. All of Aotearoa can be proud of these voyagers and their leadership, Kiharoa Nuku and Mahara Nicholas are both developing into awesome skippers, the greatest indicator of how well they do is when their teacher and mentor for the most part allows them to do their Jobs. I found this leg of our return to be awesomely easy and I hope I didn't interfere too much with their decision making :). Anyway they got us here and should be feeling pretty proud of themselves.

The crew too should be highly commended and feel proud of their achievements. My great mentor and friend Nainoa Thompson told us how proud he was of that achievement most especially when after the difficulties of the first leg it would have been so easy for people to give up and go home, but no one did, that shows great character. I am so proud of everyone who has been involved with our kaupapa and look forward to the last legs of the voyage when we will visit a number of our kainga tuturu.

So what is the next step or steps on our epic. The crew are going home for a break to see whanau and Come back to earth. The break is to allow the Cyclone season to pass so that our voyage home will be as safe as we can make it.

Our crew come back to Moorea in March and will continue the journey home with stopovers on Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Maupiti and Rarotonga and will attempt the subtropical conditions in the south western pacific in April and if we look at the progress we have been able to maintain to date we will arrive probably in May so don't stop following just because February will be a nothing month, with our maintenance programme taking precedence over voyaging.

Oh just before I sign off I would like to thank the whanau o te Waka Faafaite me nga whanau of the Berkley Institute of Moorea and of course the haukainga o Paopao who have been hosting and feeding us here in this paradise. Na reira tenei he Mihi Aroha ki a koutou katoa, koutou kua whaia Mai TE kaupapa o Waka Tapu Mai Aotearoa ki Rapanui tae noa ki tenei paradise ki Moorea tena koutou katoa.

That's me for now
Jacko

27 January 2013 @ 8am - from Jack Thatcher

We've turned down and are inching closer... yahoo!! Celebratory chocolates...mmm... and the boys already starting to smell the cheeseburgers!!

22 January 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora whanau
We've been making pretty good progress this week. We were hoping to get to Moorea by Friday this week. Those plans have slightly changed due to cyclone garry which is currently heading towards Tahiti. I'm sure many of you have been watching the development of Garry, but there is no need to worry. We are going to hang north of the Tuamotu's well out of its way, until it passes SE. Other than that the crew are in good spirits!! over and out, Jacko

16 January 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora whanau
We are now starting to head across - nor-west. About this time tomorrow we will start to turn down towards Ahe and Rangiroa. We've got about 900 miles to go. We're averaging just over 5 knots, so all going well we should be in Tahiti in about 8 - 10 days. All going well that is!!

The crew are going well. I had to remind them yesterday to not be rough on the gear. Our new watch captain, Ani, is doing very well. Kiha and Mahara - our new Captains - are doing pretty awesome to... I still get a say though!!

Te Aurere is about 2 1/2 miles back. They're traveling ok. Kai wise, we're down to canned foods, rice and boil in a bags. We havn't been able to catch a fish to save ourselves!!

Over and out, Jacko

10 January 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora whanau

Well we have had a few slow days this week. After a good 9 days sailing we came to almost a complete standstill these past 4 days. Wind has picked up again these past 12 hours so we are on the move again. As a result we are still about 14 - 18 days from Tahiti. All good, the crew on both waka are well. We parked up a couple days ago - there was bugger all wind - and invited te aurere crew over for a day of swimming and kai. It was awesome! As we climb the Tuamotu's towards Ahe the temperatures are getting noticeably hotter. We all getting our black on!

Jacko

4 January 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora whanau

We are still getting along nicely. We have been going through a series of light lows which have produced some good winds and some rain. Aurere broke her boom a few days ago so we are sailing with no jib and just taking it easy. Despite this we are still averaging 4 knots. Given our current speeds we should reach Tahiti in about 2 and 1/2 weeks.

Everybody is in good spirits. We celebrated our youngest crew members birthday yesterday. Johnson turned 18. He is a fine young man, very mature and level headed for his age. I'd like to congratulate him on his nomination in the Rangatahi section for Nga Toa Whakaihuwaka - Maori of the Year Awards 2012. Well done Johnson, its been a pleasure sailing with you these past few months. Keep up the good mahi!

Jacko

1 January 2013 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora whanau

Happy New Year to our whanau in Aotearoa. We have all been thinking of home particularly today!!

We're getting along quite nicely, averaging round 4 knots, so slowly but surely!! The crew are well. We have 10 on each waka. Our new captains Mahara and Kiha are doing well. The newbies - Io and Serafina (Rapanui), Kate, Alfracinia, Parewhati, Kuka, Tamahou and Koka Kahu - are doing brilliantly. A couple of them were a little seedy when we first left Rapanui, but they are over it now.

I take my hat off to our oldest crew member Koka Kahu. She is a 67 year old great-grandmother from a little place called Anaura Bay. This is her first off-shore voyage. I asked her today if this was everything she thought it would be? She responded by saying 'it is so much more than that!'. Kia Ora Koka, you made our day!

Jacko

28 December 2012 - from Hera

Kia Ora whanau

Sadly our waka departed Te Pito o te Whenua yesterday. In a very moving poroporoaki and in true Rapanui style, approximately 300 tangata whenua bid Waka Tapu farewell and a safe journey home under the care and guidance of our new Kaihautu Kiharoa and Mahara. There were plenty of hugs, kisses and tears, laughter and song. 

Our time with our Rapanui cousins has been an enlightening and humbling experience for us all. Beautiful people, beautiful place! Sailing with Waka Tapu to Tahiti we have two young Rapanui, Serafina and Io. We wish them the best, as this is the start of a long term commitment they and their families with our support have made to build kaupapa waka capacity within their community.

Back to the grind for our waka and crews. Homeward bound!

Mauriora
Hera

24 December 2012 - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora tatou
Its probably past time that we officially let you all know our intentions for our return to Aotearoa.
Firstly we have had such a wonderful time here in Rapanui. The whanau here have been wonderful hosts looking after us much as every community has done in each over our stop overs. The people just can not seem to do enough for us.
Rapanui is a magical place not as breath takingly beautiful as Mangareva or Tubuai with their turqoise blue lagoons and sandy beaches, the rugged volcanic coastline of Rapanui has a special beauty that is perfectly matched by the rocky landscape. The people though are not as tempestuous as the environment might suggest they are a generous loving people who believe strongly in their tikanga and have a strong desire to be seen as polynesian.
So we have been here for almost three weeks including our waiting offshore. We have had to wait for a new motor to arrive from Santiago which arrived yesterday we have fitted the motor and are now ready to put to sea.
We have decide though to stay here in Rapanui for X-Mas and will now leave on Boxing Day local Time. We expect that we will be at sea for approximately 25 Days arriving in Tahiti around the 20th January.
Our path home will be to leave Rapanui and sail to the North West towards the Marquesas then coming down to the Tuamotu Islands crossing through at Rangiroa Atoll and then down into Tahiti.
The waka will have two new Skippers both from Tauranga Moana, Kiharoa Nuku on Te Aurere and Mahara Nicholas on Nga Hiraka Mai Tawhiti.
A kua oti
A riva riva
Maururu roa
Jacko

27 November 2012 @ 6:50pm - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora whanau

Not too long now. Both waka are getting along really nicely. We've got perfect winds at the moment, 10 - 12 knots with moderate seas. We're gliding through the water. Beauty!

Everybody on board both waka are buzzing and can't wait to get to Rapanui. Its a surreal feeling thats for sure!!

Jacko

21 November 2012 @ 9:46pm - from Jack Thatcher

Ia Orana!!

Well I reckon we're doing bloody ok!! Traveling east slowly but nicely. Spirits on both waka are high... its awesome!! 

The last 2 days we've had a couple of good 12 hour periods of sailing. We had to hove to a few times. My mate (P) is being overly cautious, making sure he follows good clues etc. But better to be sure than sorry I reckon. He's been doing brilliantly. He's been keeping us on track pretty well. A couple of times he's had to right his course, but all in all he's doing an amazing job. I'm quite proud!

The corridor we're following across has been very good to us. It's definitely something we will look at more closely post voyage. I suspect it could well be a 'highway' our tipuna utilised. The stars are bloody aligned anyway!!

Jacko

17 November 2012 @ 8:16am - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora koutou

Well we're doing the north then south thing again.. Aurere are climbing well they've got their big sails up. We're just changing our gear now so we can keep up with them. We were hove to last night. Piripi wasnt to sure which way to go. He had no clues so did the next best thing - park up and wait for clues!!

Had some heavy rain last night. Thank a God! Our quartermaster had just told us a couple days ago no more hot drinks time to tighten up on our water supply. We made sure to fill our empties last night... so hot drinks are back on the menu. I think I've been forgiven after cursing Tawhirimatea when we had no wind heading into Mangareva on the last leg. Tihei Mauriora!!

The crew are well. They've all been moaning at me coz I keep changing bunks... Its all of this really tuff supervising I have to!! LOl. Anyway, we're nearing the 500 mile mark and are on target for an earl December arrival on Te Pito o te Whenua.. Yeehaa!!

Gecko

9 November 2012 @ 10:15am - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora koutou
We’re getting along pretty nicely at the moment. Piripi has established a course-line that runs from the eastern end of Mangareva, directly towards Te Pito o te Whenua on a line of ra ki marangai. He’s been sending me his estimates twice a day and so far he’s doing ok. His last estimates I received round 7am nz time he puts us 70 miles along the course-line and 3 miles south of it.

The crew are settling in to their work good. Ngahiraka’s crew are – ma-grilla’s watch (te miroa, ani, gerri) and Ema’s watch (wayne, Johnson, kushla, Candice). Me, I’m bored out of my brains…. supervising!!

Te Aurere crew are going well, but they’re missing papa Brian. On there now we have Stan, Kiha, Marty, Jacob, Toiora, Haimona, Rahi, Tahi, Moko, Piripi,

That’s it for now.
Gecko

7 November 2012 @ 10:00am - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora peeps
Waka Tapu left Mangareva bound for Te Pito o te Whenua today. A HUUUUGGGE mihi to the people of Mangareva for looking after our crew and waka. By all accounts they had a fantastic few days!!

A few of the crew sadly left the waka @ Mangareva to return home. Firstly to our Tupuai whangai - Taaroa - thank you Taaroa! Its been a treasure for us all getting to know you. Your time aboard Te Aurere has left the crew with plenty of fond memories. We hope this is the start of something much bigger for us and the people of Tupuai, the Australs!

To Regz (Regan Fairlie, Tairawhiti) - thank you bro! Your contribution aboard Ngahiraka, Aotearoa to Mangareva , has been outstanding!! A very special thank you to Carmen, Te Waiotu and the little one on the way, for the support they have given you and Waka Tapu.

Papa Brian (Brian Wiki, Tai Tokerau), you're a legend!! I know your return home is a bit pre-mature and wasn't the plan! Thank you Papa for just being you. I know you will be sorely missed out there. I'm sure the Chief has an aunty ruby waiting for u up home! Te Pito o te Whenua... here we come!! The Gekko - Jacko

3 November 2012 @ 2:00pm - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora koutou
Tenei he tino mihi ki a koutou e whai ana nga antics o nga kaaru o waka tapu nei, today most of the crew are out either cruising around the Island looking at pearls or playing soccer with the locals, whilst I'm stuck here by the waka, doing this update for you all. Where I am a lovely breeze is flowing in shore from the lagoon thats ringed by four picturesque islands not including this one and the sun is above the mountain going down towards the west, sending a shimmering gleam over the tranquil turqoise blue waters spread out before me. Its hard being me right now but some one has to doit!! :)
After arriving on monday we have been fully occupied with maintenance on our waka whilst still fulfilling obligations in whakawhanaungatanga ki te tangata whenua. Everywhere we go we get asked to haka; Tuesday at the primary school here in the main town of Rikitea, again Wednesday at the High School.

Yesterday was the feast day for the dead, we all went to church and guess who missed their ride to the Church, well they waited for me so I was told, as soon as i arrived they rang the bells for the Celebrant procession to enter right behind me. Stanley gave me that disapproving Aupouri look. The one the smart arse always used to get when he was mischief.

Anyway this church is something else, so beautiful that you will have to wait for the team to post photos cos I suck at that stuff. Anyway after mass ... yep another Haka oh and photos with the whanau. All the young ones were a little jellyous when one of the fathers got Stan and I to have photos with their beautiful young daughters hehe thats what they call Skippers Perks lol - Sorry Awh my darling.

Your all probably realising now that my prior updates were of the boring edited versions, I have direct access to FB now so I'm sure I will get some more long distance type disapproving looks after this.

Yesterday afternoon all the old buggers, me Stan Wayne Kushla and Marty Climbed the mountain today we are broken,well Kush isnt but the boys are, hence the true reason for sitting by the shore instead of embarassing myself chasing a round ball. The view from above was breath taking except when I turned around and realisied I was one step away from a 100 foot plummet that would have hurt the trees at the bottom of my fall. That led into a rather slow descent with knees rattling all the way down to change my undies. My next update will be a riveting look into our sail plan for the Mangareva ki Rapanui leg of the Waka Tapu Voyage
Na reira Ma te wa The Gekko - Jacko

31 October 2012 @ 10:20pm - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora
We arrived in Mangareva on Monday 29th October (local time) after 4 frustrating days of beating into a north-easterly wind coming directly from Mangareva. On Monday morning when we decided to sail to the southern end of the island it was very uplifting for the crew as it was finally obvious that today (Monday) is the day!!

The welcome on the beach in Rikitea the main township was awesome. Many of the locals were there to welcome us. Mangareva is much like Tupuai. The community of this place is so supportive.

The voyage from Tupuai to Mangareva has been a piece of cake in comparison to the 43 days we spent sailing from aotearoa to tupuai. No rationing of food and water has meant a heavier crew! We will stay here to at least Saturday or Sunday depending on availability of resources. The next 4 days for the crew will be taken up with re-provisioning, maintenance and repairs to the waka; community engagements and school visits where we will be sharing our experiences; and, preparing ourselves for the next leg to Rapanui, Te Pito o te Whenua.

Wayne and Piripi arrived here from NZ today with much of our required resources for maintenance and re-provisioning. Much thanks to NZMACI, Te Puia, Aotearoa Fisheries Limited and others for providing this much needed support.

We visited a local primary school today, where we shared our kaupapa with nga tamariki o tenei moutere. We expect that we will be required to visit other community groups during our stay. It’s the very least we can do!!

Finally, the crew are strong, healthy and determined to complete this kaupapa. Its really encouraging for Stan and myself to see kaupapa waka alive and healthy!!

Over and Out, Jacko

27 October 2012 @ 6:53am - from Kushla

Kia Orana
We're still not quite into Mangareva. The wind hasn't been too favourable in terms of safe passage into the Gambier's. We headed north over night and have just tacked back south towards the island. We're hoping to make landfall either this afternoon or we'll sit out the evening and go on in tomorrow morning. We're keeping in touch with Marty and the locals. Not too long now!!
Mauriora Kush

25 October 2012 @ 6:23pm - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora
We're all getting excited now. Not too far off Mangareva. We'll definitely site land by morning and expect to make landfall early tomorrow arvo. The crew r buzzing and have just advised me that it's the captains shout for first person who sites gambiers! Made contact with Marty Bercic who has joined Miroa and Tahi in Mangareva. They're like a trio of kids can't wait to get back on the waka! Spoke to the old fulla yesterday. Always good to talk to him, and remind ourselves y we do this. Really feel for him not being out here with us - physically anyway - but we r certainly thinking of you boss. Over and out, Jacko

22 October 2012 @ 9:10am - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora whanau
Well, she's a beauty day out here. We havnt been doing too bad. We turned south, riding out these N-E winds. They only been light. We'll turn back up and get sm easting when more favorable conditions kick in. The crew are well. Gerri just landed a 25kg yellow fin tuna. We sharing it with Te Aurere. Yum!! This leg has been good for crew and waka. We'll all be in good shape for that leg to Rapanui. Getting there Boss!!
Over and out, Jacko

14 October 2012 @ 8:44am - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Orana!!
We're about half way to our next stop, Mangareva. Heading east at the moment. Things are looking good. The crew are well. We've had a great run. Everyone is full and happy! Miss nathans humour though. For those who aren't aware, nathan and piripi had to return home from Tupuai due to work commitments.

Ema has really strengthened the crew. She's taken over as watch captain and now I am focused on nav stuff. Yipee (not!), back to constantly bloodshot eyes and cat naps here and there.

Stan reports Aurere is sailing well and the crew are all good. They lost 2 crew in Tupuai - Wai-wera aka hapi-feet aka Tahi, and waiwai tapu aka big foot aka Te Miroa - due to a couple of foot injuries sustained day before waka tapu due to sail out!! They have been well cared for in Tupuai by the locals and stan has just received news that they now have doctors clearance to rejoin Waka Tapu at Mangareva. They are all hapi about that and will no doubt give hapi feet and big foot heaps when they rejoin the crew!! Their Tupuai born and raised replacement Ta'aroa has been awesome. Its a dream come true for himself and his people to 'sail waka' and hopefully is a sign of things to come for Tupuai. Man, those people were just awesome!!
Over and out, Jacko

1 October 2012 @ 9:02am - from Stanley Conrad

Kia Ora koutou te whanau
Mihi atu ki a koutou ma. Kua tae mai matou ki te motu o Tupuai. Nui atu te powhiri o te iwi ki konei, to ratou awhina manakitia i a matou ma. No reira tena koutou.

A couple days ago, After 43 days on Te moana nui a kiwa we arrived at the motu Tupuai to a very moving powhiri. The people here are celebrating the arrival of our Waka here. Their korero to us is the last time they recall Waka being here was many generations before us when they left to go south to aotearoa many generations before us. Now in their Mihi to us we have returned back home.

We are being well looked after. Fed well, resting and re gathering our thoughts. After we have rested we will prepare our Waka for the next leg to Mangareva. We'll take a few days to prepare our Waka and will also monitor weather for best departure time.

Our crew of both Waka have performed an amazing job of seamanship over the 43 days since we left home. Their ability to guide our Waka has been amazing! Other than that they are all well and are preparing for the next leg. We have a new name for both crews.

We have named ourselves 'The 43's' which represents the longest sail on our Waka. I think no one will ever beat it. Ever!

Thanks to our whanau for their constant support. We realize we are not alone on the ocean, and our thoughts are of you all!

Finally, ki a koe e Pa, we're all fine, our Waka are ok. We are all thinking of you, and we look forward to meeting you at Te pito o te whenua.

No reira tena koutou!
Stan

23 September 2012 @ 4:30am - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora whanau, after a couple good days and nights sailing we r becalmed. Crew hv bn cruising today. Waitn for sm mor wind. Jus finishd a nice kai - nachos n this tomato salsa sauce thing. Ha ha, Tipuai seems like a bit of a mirage at the mo for sm of our crew. Considerin they bn at sea 38 days, they doin awesm! Te Aurere r sweet. They bout 6 miles off our stern. Anyway, to all our whanau anxiously waitn our arrival in Tipuai, n phone calls home, not long now!!
Over n out, Jacko

20 September 2012 @ 11:20am - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora whanau. Well as u cn tel we're stil not in Tipuai! In sayn tht the crew r gd n focused on sailing. We're about 560 odd n/miles off Tipuai. Hd nrth easterlies the last 24 - 36 hrs. we're stil pushn acros to the east while getn pushd slightly sth... its the wind!! lookn fwd to the next shift - sm sth westerlies b blinkn awesm! Caught a tuna last night, so sm fresh kai on the menu! We stil gt plenty dry and canned foods, ate the last of our meat n veg a coupl days ago. Thos chilli bins frm burnsco r choice. our meat lastd ths lng. Caught sm mor water last night... thank god!! haha, so the 12 weeks of hydration packs liv anutha day. Te Aurere r gd. they're a mile and a half or so off our bow, sailn wel. they pkd up thia hoe n rolling with nuthn but sail n waka. beautiful! thats it for nw. Jacko

16 September 2012 @ 3.38pm - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora whanau!! Been a while since our last update... do not worry we are all sweet, been focused on sailing. we hv hd gd sailing conditions last few days... kicked off wed/thurs with light north-westers giv us a nice push east. last coupl days we've hd sm nice sth-westers kick in. we been averaging rnd 5 knots. could easily do mor thn tht but we stil mindful of te aurere hoe. pushing hard east befor we turn up n head for 1st stop tubuai!! we stil rnd 5 - 7 days out. all crew on both waka are well. They hv been tested and hv handled well. we lookn fwd to hitting land and a nice hot shower, phone calls home n steak!! Between our quartermaster candice n ani, fisher-woman Gerri they doin awsm keepn us well fed while managing our supplies.
Over n out.. Jacko

09 September 2012 @ 8.18pm - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora... Been out of the loop, sitting out a storm the last couple of days. We pulled up our drogues this morning and got on our way... hooray! In saying that we've gone from one extreme to the other! We're now in a high with very little wind. We'll keep pushing east and hopefully catch on to some trades. Aurere are right behind us. haha... they're drying out their gear. They got a bit wet the last couple days. Crew are well. They're dancing on the deck at the moment.. Just finished ngahiraka style doughnuts - fried bread, cinamon sugar.. yum!! Jacko

05 September 2012 @ 10.33pm - from Jack Thatcher

Kia Ora! We been doing pretty ok the last few days. Piripi estimates we are currently 198 n/m north of course line and 919 east of it. Current heading Ngoi @ 3 knots or so. Havn’t seen the sun for 2 days. The AIS is working well. Passed a 189 metre cargo ship by the name of Acquilla not long ago. Passed within 10 miles of it. Conserving our batteries as much as we can. The crew are good preparing for the weather system heading down. Mahara’s interview with Nga Puna o Waiorea was awesome. He reckons they asked some pretty good questions. But I think they want to talk to younger better looking crew!!
Over and out, Jacko

03 September 2012 @ 9.35pm - from Piripi Smith

Hey. We've had better weather today. Light north westerlies most of the day. Just had some decent westerlies kick in in the last hour or so. The crew are well. Hanging out for top up on the goodies @ Tubuai - mahara: red licorice all the rest of us keen on any NZ chocolate!! Aurere are right behind us. Just finished talkn to Kiha. They been going well with the small hoe. Thanks Hotu!! We've changed our watch to 4 hrs on 4 off. Mahara, REgan, Gerri and Ani on at the mo. Their watch finishes @ 10pm. Definitely noticed the change in climate as we been climbing.. Alot warmer up here!! P.

02 September 2012 @ 4.40pm - from Jack Thatcher

Kia ora. We've been pummeled the last couple days. weather and sea has been pretty ruff and she's been and is still blinken cold! Crew are wearing the immersion suits at the moment. They're nice and warm. We had a crew talk this morning to review last couple days and they're sweet. Weather and sea has settled some but she's still a bit ruff. We'll hove-to again tonight and look to get crnking again tomorrow. We're mindful of Te Aurere's hoe, so just taking it ezy. Aurere crew are good. They're a couple of miles west of us at the mo. Looks like we b in tupuai in the nxt 2 to 3 weeks. Over and Out. Jacko

31 August 2012 @ 3.30pm - Ngahiraka-mai Tawhiti

Afternoon!! Bit of s### house weather over last 24 hrs. Was a cold nite! Had to hove to. today, gusts, 3.5 - 4m swels. shuld clear ova next day or so. b anada cold one 2nite! Te Aurere bout 10 miles away frm us. Crew gd, bit wet but gd!!

30 August 2012 @ 9.30am - Ngahiraka-mai Tawhiti - Jack Thatcher

Morena! The crew put on an awesm birthdy for me yesterday. Cher! Gt my bday wishes frm my darling wife and girls, choice!! We had to park up last nite, it was overcast, couldn't see a damn thing to lead us the way we need to go. All good. Hd a good rest and popped the sails back up first thing this morning. Everyone is well. Piripi estimates we are 700 nautical miles along our course line. Te Aurere is right behind us. They're sweet. Kush on the hoe at the moment. Rest of us drying stuf out. Its fine, bit overcast, light southerly winds.
Over n out, Jacko.

29 August 2012 @ 13:25 hrs - Ngahiraka-mai Tawhiti - Piripi Smith

Kia Ora!! Just finished an awesome kai! Jacko's birthday today. I think he's about 56. Gerri caught a tuna (albacor) couple days ago so fish on the menu. even had a Ngahiraka style dessert. Was awesm!! Crew in high spirits. We been taking it ezy sailing wise. Dnt wnt to sisk our hoe. We're well n truly out of thos doldrum like conditions and on the move. 16 nautical miles north of course line and about 614 nautical miles east, along course line. Average speed 4 knts, headn in direction of ra ki tokerau @ latitude of 36.4. cher!

20 August 2012 @ 8.30am - Ngahiraka-mai Tawhiti - Navigator's Update

Estimates we are 212 nautical miles along the course line and 51 nautical miles north of the course line. Current heading whitinga. 2 - 3 metre swells. 15 knot north-westerly winds. Heavy weather over-night. Te Aurere tore her small jib. Both waka had to heave-to. Te Aurere batteries wemt flat so used the generator to re-charge. Tamanui has come out today and the front has passed. Te Aurere currently has her small white sails up and we have our big set up and have these reefed. Te Aurere is approximately 1 mile off our stern. The crew are well and smiling!! Over and out...