Waka visits for rigging repairs

Two waka from the Tui 250 voyage made an unscheduled stop in New Plymouth on Saturday after one had problems with its rigging.

The waka, Haunui and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti, were sailing down the West Coast with Fa’afaite, a double-hulled voyaging canoe from Tahiti, on the way to Picton where they will meet with up tall ships, including the HMB Endeavour, that are sailing down the East Coast.

The flotilla is on a 75-day voyage around New Zealand.

There was a bit of a rig failure on Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti, so the crew decided the best thing to do was cruise into Port Taranaki, Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, co chair of the Tuia 250 national coordinating committee, said.

‘‘Two waka were close together, so the other waka cruised with them until they got into port. The Tahitians carried on to Picton. Haunui, the second waka, will leave [Sunday] to head down to Picton.’’

Each waka has 11 crew.

The waka, Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti, will stay at the lee breakwater and make repairs, BarclayKerr said.

‘‘They’re hunting around for some timber and things because everything’s shut. Hopefully in two or three days they’ll be ready to roll again.

‘‘It’s been pretty cool. Everyone’s been really helpful. We’ve had people come down and visit.

The guy from the motel where we all stayed overnight shot down on his bike to bring someone’s phone that was left behind. All the waka ama people have been paddling over to visit.’’

Tuia 250 is the name given to commemorate 250 years since the first onshore encounter between Ma¯ ori and Pa¯ keha¯ .

The journey has been great, Barclay-Kerr said.

‘‘I think the people we’ve met and engaged with in all the different communities we’ve travelled to have enjoyed meeting up.’’

All of the flotilla have to be in Cook’s Cove in the Queen Charlotte Sound by Thursday.

‘‘There’s a big powhiri and kaupapa going on there with the picton community and iwi that occupied the Sounds.

‘‘After that there is a big civic reception in Picton and activities going on there for a couple of days.

Barclay-Kerr was confident Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti would get there in time.

JOHN VELVIN/STUFF Two waka taking part in the Tuia 250 Voyage, the Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti and the Haunui, were in Port Taranaki overnight Saturday. Haunui left for Picton yesterday.