Story: Canoe navigation

Te Au-o-Tonga and Te Aurere off the East Coast, 2000

The successes of the Hōkūle‘a led to a renaissance in Polynesian navigation and the sailing of traditional craft. Other vessels were built. Te Aurere (right), pictured here with Te Au-o-Tonga, was built by Hekenukumai (Hector) Busby in 1991. The following year Te Aurere survived strong winds and high seas during a voyage from New Zealand to Rarotonga. This journey did not prove that return voyaging to Polynesia occurred, but showed that it was possible with the navigational techniques available to Polynesians. Listen to Pakake Winiata, a crew member on board Te Aurere, explain why the vessel was towed for parts of the voyage from New Zealand to Rarotonga.

Using this item

New Zealand Herald
Reference: 13 April 2000
Photograph by Nicola Topping

Permission of the New Zealand Herald must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. Reference: Waka Te Aurere; Pakake Winiata / Reference number 10386.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Rāwiri Taonui, 'Canoe navigation - Recent voyaging', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/speech/2237/te-au-o-tonga-and-te-aurere-off-the-east-coast-2000 (accessed 18 April 2024)

Story by Rāwiri Taonui, published 8 Feb 2005