Tuia 250: Historical fleet moors in Auckland Harbour

16:43, Oct 25 2019
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
The Tuia 250 flotilla arrived into the Auckland Harbour on Friday and was welcomed with a powhiri and by locals on the wharf.

A fleet of six historical vessels have sailed their way into Auckland Harbour on the seventh stop of a 75-day voyage around New Zealand. 

Tuia 250 is the name given to commemorate 250 years since the first onshore encounter between Māori and Pākehā. 

It aims to encourage debate and reflection and encourage a balanced telling of a shared Māori and Pākehā history.

The main event for Tuia is the flotilla of va'a tipaerua, waka hourua (double-hulled canoes) and sailing ships, which are visiting 14 different sites around the country.

READ MORE:
* Tuia 250: the return of the 'death ship'
* Tuia 250: Captain Cook, hero or villain?
* Endeavour arrives at Tūranganui-a-Kiwa as part of Tuia 250
* Tuia 250 brings Endeavour, waka and remembrance to Mercury Bay

Onlookers crowded the end of Queen's Wharf to welcome each ship into the Waitematā harbour on Friday.

The Endeavour arrived into the Auckland Harbour as part of the Tuia 250 flotilla to celebrate 250 years of Māori and Pākeha shared history.
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
The Endeavour arrived into the Auckland Harbour as part of the Tuia 250 flotilla to celebrate 250 years of Māori and Pākeha shared history.

Dame Jenny Shipley, co-chairwoman of the National Coordinating Committee, said the flotilla represented who New Zealanders were.

"Tuia asks us not to  dwell on the past but to be proud of it, and then to look over the horizon again," she said. 

"It's about weaving the cultures and histories together.

Auckland is the seventh of 14 landing sites the flotilla will berth at during its 75-day voyage.
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
Auckland is the seventh of 14 landing sites the flotilla will berth at during its 75-day voyage.

"This stands as a reminder for how courageous and brave our early voyagers were. We are a nation who is not afraid of going over the horizon."

Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, co-chairman with Shipley, said Tuia 250 was an opportunity for Aucklanders to engage in the history of New Zealand.

To see the tall ships sailing back into the harbour sparked imagination around the history of the country, he said.

"It is a people of history, of exploration, of adventure."

Abel Tasman first arrived to New Zealand 1642, but did not come onto land. He is responsible for giving New Zealand its name. 

Tuia 250's main event is the flotilla of va'a tipaerua, waka hourua (double-hulled canoes) and sailing ships.
Abigail Dougherty/Stuff
Tuia 250's main event is the flotilla of va'a tipaerua, waka hourua (double-hulled canoes) and sailing ships.

More than 100 years later, Captain Cook arrived at the East Coast of New Zealand aboard his ship: HMB Endeavour. 

The flotilla will arrive at its final landing site at Te Māhia on December 19.

Free commemorative events will take place over four days this Labour Weekend, including open vessel tours, family activities, exhibits and live music.