A powerful new collaboration between traditional voyaging experts and elite competitive sailors is opening up the moana for the next generation.
At Ōkahu Bay in Tāmaki Makaurau, master navigator Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, CNZM, founder of Te Toki Voyaging Trust, joined forces with Blair Tuke, Black Foils Co-CEO and Live Ocean co-founder, to host TE HAU WAWARA – a waka ‘have a go’ day.
Photo: Brett Phibbs / PhibbsVisuals
The pilot event brought together 60 local rangatahi and their whānau to experience sailing small waka alongside some of Aotearoa’s top sailors and voyagers.
Delivered jointly by Te Toki Voyaging Trust, the Black Foils (New Zealand’s SailGP Team), and ocean conservation organisation Live Ocean, the kaupapa seeks to revitalise traditional sailing knowledge while making the sport accessible.
Revitalising kaupapa waka on the water
Te Toki Voyaging Trust has long been committed to sustaining the mātauranga and practice of kaupapa waka. While Māori participation in paddling sports like waka ama is thriving, participation in sailing has traditionally remained low. This initiative directly addresses that gap by introducing easy-to-handle, two-person sailing waka.
To bring the vision to life, the Black Foils team refitted three Ulua—small sailing waka designed to be stable, accessible, and simple to assemble. Rangatahi from various iwi groups took to the water in these beginner waka as well as 6-person sailing waka, paired with experienced navigators and sailors.
“When it comes to sport on the moana, there are lots of Māori taking part in paddling but in sailing, the numbers are low,” says Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr. “Blair and I have been talking for a long time about how we can encourage more rangatahi into sailing. Now we have these small sailing waka, that are easy to sail and put together – they can make it more fun and more accessible.”
“I’m really excited about where we’ve got to with the three Ulua on the water today. It can only grow from here.”
Reconnecting with Voyaging Ancestors
The broader ambition of the partnership is to see fleets of small waka across Aotearoa, inspiring local communities to gather for inshore and coastal sailing.
“Today was about providing rangatahi an opportunity to experience something new, here at Ōkahu Bay on small sailing waka,” shares Blair Tuke. “Ultimately, we want to see more Māori and Pacific people out on the moana, feeling the power of the wind, strengthening their connection to their voyaging ancestors who were some of the best navigators in the world.”
In addition to the on-water action, the larger voyaging waka Haunui was anchored in the bay for whānau visits, while shore-based activities introduced traditional navigation knowledge, ocean conservation education, and virtual reality marine explorations.