Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundations’ Vaka Paikea captain and crew departed Rarotonga last week for Aitutaki to relaunch their vessel back into the water and continue with their pathway programme towards becoming a traditional navigator.

Master navigator, Peia Patai (instructor) and the crew include - Steven Daniels, Zeb Revake, Oliver Oolders, Tama Tuakanangaro (Mauke), Vaipunu Ian Tairea (Mauke), Daryl Ngaoire (Mauke), Moana Rakei (Mauke), Tere Ivaiti (Mangaia), Aaron Harry (Mangaia)

The Teretereanga Vaka Level II programme is focused on modern and traditional navigation - an intensive theory course.

Once the students have completed this course their theory skills will be put to test sailing Vaka Paikea which is expected to be relaunched next week weather permitting on Tuesday. 

The crew will also learn about the operation of Vaka Paikea and what is required of them to become a captain. 

Te Puna Marama are pleased that two of their experienced sailors Zeb Revake and Oliver Oolders have enrolled with the Manukau Institute of Technology to begin their Skippers Restricted Limits course - a pathway to becoming a captain.

In Aitutaki, the crew are also working on levelling their section in Taravao and preparing to lay rocks for the ‘Star Compass’.

“Our dream is to build a learning centre to run our programmes in Aitutaki,” says trustee Cecile Marten

“It’s an exciting time for us, as our dream is to build our learning centre Te Are Vananga o Te Puna Marama, which will serve as our base to teach navigation, and the land will be planted with fruit and vegetables to provide food for our voyaging and school,” she said.

Phase 1 is the construction of the Star Compass.

The next Phase 2, is to secure funding to construct the “marae” style building which will include a commercial kitchen to prepare and preserve food, a hall and toilet and shower block - this will serve as the learning centre. 

Phase 3 will be to construct accommodation to house the students. 

Te Puna Marama has been working with local architect Romani Katoa for the concept plans and budget. 

“This would not be possible without the support of Peia's family, the landowners to Turaoni,” says Marten.

She said the site is significant as it is adjacent to the Marae Poaki o Rae, which according to oral tradition is the site of an unfinished school. 

The crew will sail Paikea back to Rarotonga - an opportunity to practice the theoretical points they will be learning over the next few days. 

Those who would like to pursue traditional navigation will be required to put in more sailing experience.

A few weeks ago, Te Puna Marama celebrated Vaka Paikea’s second year official blessing commemoration on April 14 with family and friends. 

Since its maiden voyage to Mauke, Paikea has sailed to Mitiaro, Atiu, Mangaia, Aitutaki, Suwarrow and Western Samoa. 

This year, Paikea will visit Pukapuka, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Nassau, Penrhyn, Suwarrow and Palmerston. An international voyage is also  planned. 

The Teretereanga Vaka Level II programme will be run in Mitiaro in May. Funding is available for eight participants however Te Puna Marama has 20 wanting to join the course.

 Marten and Patai would like to say “meitaki maata” to their families for their support, the crew, friends, all the donors and sponsors – “without you our work would not be possible.”

Paikea has been on dry dock in Aitutaki since last November for the duration of the cyclone season (November – April). The vaka can no longer afford to dry dock in Rarotonga since there is nowhere accessible in town for the vaka to sit.

The Star Compass Project is possible with the support of the New Zealand High Commission in Rarotonga. Te Puna Marama would also like to thank UNESCO and Maraurau O Te Pae Apii/Cook Islands Ministry of Education for supporting the Modern and Traditional Navigation theory course.