It was only 1,000 years ago that New Zealand was discovered by Kupe, according to Maori legend. Kupe sailed to Aotearoa (New Zealand) from Hawaiki, the traditional homeland of the Maori people. While no one today knows the exact location of Hawaiki, it is believed to be somewhere in Polynesia. What we do know is the detailed craftsmanship that went into building Polynesian outrigger canoes. Many replicas of these boats are on display at the Auckland Maritime Museum.
This is a Tongan Tongiaki, a double-hulled voyage canoe. The small hut offers the only protection the brave sailors had against the oceans. It’s similar in style to the boats that originally brought the Polynesian Maori to New Zealand, although the migration boats were believed to be about 20 meters in length.
Rather than a single boom like modern sailing vessels, the sail is lashed to two booms that are separated to raise the sail.
Sails woven from plant materials and sewn together in strips.
Documenting New Zealand’s nautical history, the Auckland Maritime Museum takes us through the arrival of the nation’s early population. Long before the days of drones and satellites, curious and brave seafaring explorers use their knowledge of the ocean and the night sky for guidance. They arrived in Polynesian outrigger canoes, the style of which has sailed the southern Pacific ocean for over 5000 years.
Taking a closer looker at the construction details of the Polynesian outrigger canoes, the challenge these brave men faced seems multiplied. The museum displays replicas of voyaging canoes from Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Kiribati.
This is a classic example of an outrigger canoe. The main parts are the canoe (the hull that holds the canoe paddlers), the outrigger boom or “kaito” in Maori (spars leading out from the hull), and the outrigger or “ama” (smaller lateral supports that float on the water and offers balance).
A closer look at the impressive stitching holding the hull together.
Another Polynesian outrigger sailing canoe. In the background is the hull, outrigger boom and part of the sail of Taratai, a 76-foot baurua voyaging canoe from the Kiribati Atolls.
The lashings that hold the outrigger to the outrigger boom.
The binding on a section of the much larger Taratai’s outrigger boom.
A decorative canoe.
A closer look at the lashings on one of the boats.
A canoe carved from a single tree.
We visit the Auckland Maritime Museum often but yesterday was the first time I did a photo study of the migration canoes.
Practical Information and Tips for Visiting the Auckland Maritime Museum
- The museum is at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour at the corner of Quay and Hobson Streets.
- The Auckland Maritime Museum is open nearly every day from 10 am – 5 pm. Also available are optional sailings on most days, which offer a chance to get out on the water on a ketch-rigged deck scow or other historical boats.
This waka, belonging to the Polynesian Voyaging Society, is one of many boats that museum visitors can sail on (for an additional fee).
- Entrance is free to Auckland area residents. See the official website for other prices including sailings.
- Weekdays, there are tours led by passionate volunteers at 10:30 am and 1 pm. The museum also hosts special events and open days. Our favourite to date was Dangerous Duties out at sea.
- The Auckland Maritime Museum is also the check-in location before heading out on the dolphin and whale excursion.
- Heading to Auckland or anywhere in New Zealand? If so, don’t forget to pick up a copy of Lonely Planet’s New Zealand Travel Guide
If you enjoyed taking a closer look at these Polynesian outrigger canoes, please share this pin on Pinterest:
Lovely and makes me wish I had a boat to take my son out in. Have a great day.
A boat like one of these, or something a bit more modern?
The word Polynesia itself evokes images of exotic beaches and islands for me. The history of New Zealand and how it was discovered is fascinating. The Maritime museum sounds really interesting, a window to the past. The canoes look ingenious and a silent tribute to the skills of the Maoris of yore.
I agree, when I hear the word I think of exotic destinations, palm trees, and white sand beaches. The maritime museum is the perfect place to learn about the history and how the cultures intermix.
I love visiting museums like that, Rhonda, and your photos are great!
Many thanks for joining me at the Travel Tuesday meme.
this is one of my favourite museums because of the details.
Excellent post and really enjoyed looking the history of NZ through it’s original inhabitants! Great pictures of the boat too…gorgeous stuff!
Thanks. I find it fascinating as well. I really enjoyed studying just the details of the boats this visit.
What an interesting cultural post. I like that they pass down their skills from generation to generation. Thank you for more knowledge.
I am always impressed with skills like this that are passed down for hundreds of years.
Very interesting post. The craftsmanship of these outriggers are incredible, the pictures definitely brought me there at the museum to appreciate this.
I hope you get a chance to visit live, it’s a wonderful museum.
I can’t even imagine making one of these! What craftsmanship. It’s an amazing art!
I could imagine making one, but I couldn’t image sailing one.
How beautiful is that outrigger? I studied anthropology in college, so I know that I would love this museum. It’s so amazing to see how amazingly they used their materials to travel so far. It’s so fascinating!
The museum moves through the ancient history really quickly. The rest focuses mostly on the last 150 years.
What an unusual museum. It looks pretty fascinating
It takes visitors through New Zealand’s maritime history.
This is quite incredible, I imagine the Polynesian outrigger canoes would have been quite cutting edge technology for their day. It’s quite fascinating to imagine a world of exploration and discovering new lands before we had electronics and motors and all the wonders of knowledge of the modern day. I was really drawn in by the story of Kon Tiki, where Thor Heyerdahl lead an expedition in 1947 across the Pacific Ocean from South America by traditional Polynesian raft. Obviously doesn’t have much to do with New Zealand, but your photos reminded me of that 🙂 Incredible that they crossed oceans in these isn’t it!
The boats are pretty impressive for their age, and the balance must be quite incredible for them to sail so far.