Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation welcomed onboard Vaka Paikea outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Tui Dewes, for the blessing of their new carved etu marama star compass and the naming of their oe “inuinutai”.

Through the New Zealand High Commission, Rarotonga, community grant, Te Puna Marama was able to start their Ikairo Tuku Kaveinga Māori Project.

“We are very thankful for God’s blessings and the support we have from the New Zealand High Commission for our project,” said Peia Patai, traditional master navigator and captain of Paikea, at the blessing ceremony yesterday at Avana Harbour.

“Paikea’s new voyage is to teach. The focus now is on our young kids for tomorrow – teaching them about navigation.”

Patai also acknowledged the work put into the foundation by Cecile Marten, a trustee of the organisation, and the crew.

Part one of Te Ikairo Tuku Kaveinga Māori Project was the design by Tuaine Teiti and the carving by Olly Oolders and Zebadiah Revake of the etu marama teaching compass on Paikea, which has been completed.

Patai carved the name “inuinutai’ on the oe. The name was discovered by their cultural advisor Maara Maeva through his research.

The blessing ceremony on Vaka Paikea. Front left, traditional master navigator Peia Patai, Rev. Paanu Rouru, Naomi Terepai Rouru, NZ High Commissioner Tui Dewes, Tama ama Tuakanangaro, Cecile Marten, Olly Oolders and Tuaine Teiti. Back: Steven Daniel. MELINA ETCHES/24082916

Following the blessing ceremony by Reverend Paanu Rouru, High Commissioner Dewes gifted a mauri stone for the etu marama to Patai.

In 2018, Dewes travelled to the east coast and visited her ancestral river, Waiapu, at the base of her ancestral maunga, Hikurangi, where she collected the mauri stone.

“As this mauri stone is from Paikea’s new home in Te Tai Rawhiti, the east coast of my country, I think it is fitting for me to gift it to Vaka Paikea, to support and protect her as she navigates Te Moana Nui a Kiwa,” she said.

Dewes said she was pleased to partner with Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation on the Ikairo Tuku Kaveinga Māori project.

Given her own whakapapa links to Paikea, and her personal interest in ensuring the shared mātauranga Māori is revived, including around traditional navigation methods, this project is particularly close to her heart.

Rev Paanu Rouru blesses the oe and etu marama star compass on Vaka Paikea. MELINA ETCHES/24082912

Dewes recently visited Mauke, the home of Aotearoa and the Cook Islands shared ancestor Paikea.

She also visited Aitutaki, where Te Puna Marama navigation learning centre will be based.

While visiting schools in the Pa Enua, she spoke of the project and could see that children were very excited to see the new etu marama/star compass, and to potentially get the opportunity to study at the new learning centre.

“I want to congratulate you on the important work you are doing to reclaim and revitalise our shared traditional knowledge,” said Dewes.

“Your efforts are not only assisting the next generation of Cook Islanders, but also the next generation of Māori across the Pacific.

Next week on Tuesday, weather permitting, Vaka Paikea will be sailing for Mangaia where Patai and crew will spend a week running its Teretereanga Vaka programme, providing educational opportunities for youth on the island to participate in a course that promotes and preserves the art of traditional voyaging and navigation.