Waka Tapu saw a crew of 23 sailors undertake an intrepid open sea voyage to Rapanui (Easter Island) across 10,000 nautical miles of ocean in traditional waka hourua (double-hulled sailing canoes) using only the stars, moon, sun, ocean currents, birds and marine life to guide them on their journey across the vast Pacific Ocean.
The two waka hourua, made from kauri, were guided out of Waitemata Harbour at 11:30am, Friday 17th August by an impressive flotilla including Royal New Zealand Navy vessels, waka taua (war canoe) used during last year’s Rugby World Cup opening ceremony and other waka hourua.
Evitan managed the onland event logistics at the Viaduct Harbour on behalf of the New Maori Arts and Crafts Institute from Rotorua. It was an amazing launch and it felt like we were a part of history.