Crew practise for ocean voyage
Kaumoana teina learn new skills
‘Kia tere to¯ tatau waka, me he uruora terewai.” Let our waka cut through the water like the thrashing white shark is a whakatauaki of Sir T¯ımoti Ka¯retu in reference to the Nga¯ti Kahungunu Iwi waka hourua Te Matau a Ma¯ui.
The herenga waka or mooring place for Te Matau a Ma¯ui is the inner harbour of Te Whanganui a Orotu, and it is here that the crew has been in training to undertake a voyage to Rekohu, Chatham Islands scheduled for January 2022.
The kaihautu of Te Matau a Ma¯ui, Piripi Smith, and his team of kaimahi from A¯tea a Rangi Educational Trust have been leading weekend wananga and regular Wednesday night trainings over the winter months to prepare the kaumoana for the rigours of the voyage.
Up until last weekend these trainings had been largely theoretical affairs with the crew confined to honing their rope work skills, vessel maintenance and learning about the tikanga and practice of how to sail . . . all while tied up.
Last weekend however marked the start of on water training with an overnight sail into the southern part of Te Matau a Ma¯ui (Hawke Bay).
The assembled crew come from all corners of the Kahungunu takiwa¯ with a strong Rongomaiwahine and Te Wairoa contingent though apart from a few old hands the crew are primarily kaumoana teina (novice sailors), and so there was an air of excitement as each six hour watch began.
From the observation of the rising and setting of stars, practising tacking, gybing, reaching and running, and taking turns on the hoe urungi as kaiurungi or steerer, each kaumoana was still buzzing when it was over, and eager for the thrash of the white shark again.
The vision of Te Matau a Ma¯ui is the revitalisation of kaupapa whakatere waka (traditional wayfinding or navigation) and sailing techniques, linking Kahungunu to Aotearoa to Te Moana nui a Kiwa, and to the world, while also being a kaitiaki and voice for the plight of our oceans.
Shade Smith is Kaita¯tari matua — senior analyst — Te taiao me ona rawa — Environment & natural resources