Cook Islands archaeologist and Pacific programmer at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Ma’ara Maeva will be making a special presentation at the National Museum this afternoon from 12 noon to 2pm on “Paikea: Ancestral connections and stories woven in the stars”.

Maeva is one of the trustees of Te Puna Marama Voyaging Foundation. His presentation will be shared from his basket of knowledge and will explore papa’anga (genealogy), ngā tama ā Tangaroa (marine creatures), ‘akairo (motifs and designs), karakia (sacred recitation) and ngā tama ā Rangiātea (celestial realm).

His presentation will be followed by traditional master navigator and Foundation trustee Tua Pittman who will speak on how the traditional knowledge on voyaging and navigation has been revived and combined with the science of today to unite voyaging societies of Te Moananui Atea – Pacific Ocean to educate the next generation.

A year ago, Te Puna Marama Foundation held their first workshop in Aotearoa New Zealand with the assistance of Te Toki Voyaging Trust – Waka Hourua and the Cook Islands Development Agency of New Zealand. The purpose of the workshop was to collect and document Cook Islands names of stars and other navigational names. 

Meanwhile final touches are being done to Vaka Paikea before the dawn blessing and renaming ceremony this Friday at the seaside of the Punanga Nui Market, starting at 6am.

The vaka is planned to be launched at sea the following Monday, April 17, and her maiden voyage will be to the island of Mauke where a workshop on voyaging and navigation will be held with the support of the Pawanka Fund.

Te Toki Voyaging Trust – Waka Hourua’s Hoturoa Kerr and his family have arrived to Rarotonga to participate in the blessing ceremony.