Warm welcome for ‘Hinemoana’ in Karitane

The voyage south will continue for the Hinemoana crew after its four-day stay at Karitane.

There was a festive atmosphere as the community gathered in Karitane to welcome the twin-hulled vessel on Thursday.

It is to head into Otago Harbour towards Dunedin next week.

It had come from Christchurch and will go on to Stewart Island/Rakiura.

Brendan Flack was one Karitane resident assisting the Puketeraki Marae as host and he described himself as a supporter of the Te Toki Voyaging Trust, which was behind the venture.

"The reason for the visit is to maintain a connection to the renaissance of traditional Polynesian voyaging," Mr Flack said.

A few of the crew were locals sailing into their own waters, he said.

Mr Flack was part of the Ngāi Tahu crew on the traditional double-hulled waka hourua Haunui 10 years ago.

It, too, visited Karitane and the trust called this week’s visit by Hinemoana a beautiful reunion.

Pupils from schools in the area, including East Otago High School, called out a karanga and performed a haka for the guests on board.

They invited them to stay at Puketeraki Marae.

Mr Flack said there had been huge support from the community and schools and "they did us proud".

Ōtākou was included on the schedule and Mr Flack expected the programme would include interaction with community groups and schools.

The waka came from Auckland and it was spending three months in and near the South Island, he said.