It was a warm grey morning when we rose at 7, warm enough that despite the lack of sun most trainees were in the water for long enough the crew had to ask them to get out and get on with the chores.
Chores were done super quick, breakfast was rushed through and a keen team gathered on deck to start learning about the ropes, our climbing harnesses and other aspects of sailing the ship. The sails were soon set and on course for Waitangi. During our sail, all trainees had their first go at climbing the rigging. They did well challenging themselves.
We had a soup and cheese roll lunch on the ship once anchored off Waitangi. Then, we headed ashore on the tender. Lyn was there to meet us and give us our green stickers before ushering us up to Ngatokimatawhaorua and Mataatua Puhi. Alongside these waka, Mukai gave us our mihi whakatau and some perspective on how and why rangatira made decisions in the past. A theme was thinking ahead with today’s actions and choosing a positive pathway of action to establish hope for the future. Good words for us on our voyage now and for the journeys to come.
Lyn then took us on a tour of the museum where there was almost overwhelming amounts of history to take in, not to mention screens and proper toilets. We didn’t lose anyone and came out onto the lawn overlooking the Tucker in the Bay for a group photo before heading back to the ship. Everyone was able to tell Magnus something they learned once back. Big mihi to our hosts for their manaakitanga.
We upped anchor and are now settled again in the shelter of the Black Rocks. We had an early dinner of bangers and mash and, having digested a bit, everyone is now having an afternoon swim off the ship. There might be another activity tonight, we’ll let you know tomorrow!
Happy sailors here.
Mauri Ora,
Us
