Welcoming Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia to Aotearoa

From the 14th–16th of November, Melissa White, Director of SeaKeepers South Pacific, travelled to Waitangi for the arrival of Hōkūleʻan and Hikianalia. This was a really special moment, not just for the voyaging community, but for Aotearoa. Hōkūleʻa turned 50 this year, and it’s been 40 years since her first arrival into New Zealand. That original voyage played a huge role in reviving traditional Polynesian navigation and reconnecting cultures across the Pacific, so seeing her return felt incredibly meaningful.

The arrival also brought together two people who are important to the SeaKeepers story. Nainoa Thompson, who was named our SeaKeeper of the Year in 2022, is the president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and is widely recognised for bringing traditional wayfinding back to life. Lehua Kamalu, our Next Gen Awardee from the same year, is a captain and navigator with PVS and the first woman to captain-navigate Hōkūleʻa on a major voyage. Having both of them here in Aotearoa made the moment even more special.

For SeaKeepers South Pacific, this gathering marked the beginning of a new relationship with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, something that feels very full-circle for us. The weekend in Waitangi included welcome ceremonies, community events, and time spent with the crew, supporters, and local iwi who helped host the arrival. It was an honour to be there and to celebrate the legacy of these voyaging canoes.

We’re also looking ahead: Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia will begin their voyage around New Zealand in February, and we already have plans to reconnect with the crew and continue building this partnership as they move down the coast.