Kicking off brand new 2025, Te Puna Marama Voyaging Society is excited to host its first workshop today on Mauke (January 14 – 15, 2025), dedicated to exploring and documenting traditional methods of growing and preserving food.

This initiative reflects their commitment to cultural heritage and sustainability, as the Society prepares for future voyages on Vaka Paikea.

With the challenges posed by modern food systems and climate change, Te Puna Marama trustees Pwo traditional master navigators Peia Patai and Tua Pittman, archaeologist and learning specialist at Auckland War Memorial Museum Auckland New Zealand, Ma’ara Maeva, and secretary and consultant Cecile Martin, all believe it is essential to reconnect with ancestral practices that have sustained our ancestors.

Chairman, captain Patai, and Maeva, who is based in Aotearoa New Zealand, are facilitating the workshop in Mauke.

Maeva said the purpose of the workshop is to collect the preservation processes, rituals and protocols, along with the sacred incantations, related to the food-making processes used for voyages lasting 20 to 30 days at sea.

The idea is to collect and document these for future generations.

“Te koikoi mai ana i te au marama, i te au manga te taporporo i te tuanga teretere moana amani ana ia, e te au karakia, te au vaiata te tako o te manga…”

Foods such as pounded taro, fermented breadfruit, piere (dried bananas) and dried seafood designed for preservation, are examples of produce in the workshop.

Participants are expected to engage in hands on activities, break into group discussions, learn from the Pa Metua – the knowledge keepers, and local experts about traditional agricultural techniques, food preservation methods, tools, techniques, responsibilities of the preparations and the importance of biodiversity.

Maeva said tools and technology used to make the produce such as fire, the kumete and the kana, as well as visits to heritage and food sites on Mauke, will also be a focus.

This workshop not only aims to equip voyagers with the skills necessary for sustainable living but to create a deeper appreciation for our cultural roots.

Te Puna Marama’s goal is to grow and preserve food to take on onboard Vaka Paikea in future voyages.

Te Puna Marama would like to thank Te Tango Akarangatira Ora’ anga/Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Social Impact Fund for supporting this workshop on food preservation.

The workshops will be recorded and live streamed today.

Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation, a Cook Islands registered Charitable trust, was officially established on January 11, 2022. This week marks the start of their third year.

The foundation is committed to educating young people about the traditional navigation and voyaging, with Vaka Paikea serving as their floating classroom.

When the sailing season begins after the current cyclone season in April, Vaka Paikea will head north to deliver their programmes to the Northern Group, stopping at Suwarrow and Palmerston on the return journey.