Te Toki Voyaging Trust collaborate with R. Tucker Thompson for Northland youth
Rere Tahi – Fly Together, a joint initiative between Te Toki Voyaging Trust and The R. Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust brings together two kaupapa (projects) and offers the unique opportunity for 24 rangatahi (youth) from Te Tai Tokerau to experience two unique sailing vessels, a tall ship, and a waka hourua.
Marine scientists from the University of Otago will be on board the waka hourua with Te Toki Voyaging, in a partnership that brings together science with mātauranga Māori for the rangatahi on the voyage. It’s a collaboration initiated by Live Ocean Foundation and supported by The Joyce Fisher Trust, that will see Te Toki Voyaging crew gain the skills and tools needed to integrate the science learning into their voyaging offering on an ongoing basis.
“Rere Tahi shows the great power of collaboration. It’s an on-water experience that has the power to be life changing for the rangatahi on board, connecting them to the mana of Aotearoa’s founding stories, the ocean and the life that we urgently need to be guardians for,” says Sally Paterson, Live Ocean Chief Executive.
The programme starts and ends at Haratu Marae in Kororāreka, Russell. The voyage departs at 1pm on 16 November following a powhiri at the Marae and returns on 23 November at 11am.
Rere Tahi combines the ethos, values, and missions of both organisations. The 8-day voyage will be one of learning, focused on incorporating both not-for-profit Trust’s programmes around the common goal of empowering Northland youth to lead rewarding lives.
Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, Founder of Te Toki Voyaging Trust says, “After the successful co-operation of sailing together during Tuia 250 celebrations, we are happy to be working alongside R. Tucker Thomson, her crew and all the sponsors that made this possible.”
Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust’s Chief Executive Jo Lynch stated, “the voyage called Rere Tahi – which means Fly Together – aims to bring two unique voyaging cultures and kaupapa together for the benefit of Northland Youth. Both Trusts deliver special and outcome focused work in youth development. The goal is that this voyage will become an annual opportunity for our rangatahi to experience two traditional methods of voyaging and learn more about the history of New Zealand.”
Northpower generously sponsored the R. Tucker Thompson’s involvement in this inaugural voyage which will benefit youth in Northland. The voyage has also been funded by Recreation Aotearoa He Puna Korikori fund.
