Matalii Vaa

Sailing a Samoan heritage va’a in Parirua Harbour. A wider goal is to connect community to culture and history thru va’a and increase sailing knowledge.

As waka went out across the country to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi so too did I. No better day to get the first water time than on this day. I still have sail + mast to do but I built this following notes by Samoan canoe builders recorded by Māori anthropologist, Te Rangihiroa.

Next va’a build coming along nicely, ama is completed also. Iako, mast and sail next. Water testing Feb.

Meet the ‘Inspector’ usually arrives late, gives his opinions and orders and doesn’t even bring a shout. Spends most of his time looking unimpressed at the work and leaves. Can’t get a break around here. On the +side the work is going well

Kalai va’a. Maintain our heritage.

2/2 sound of my childhood that I don’t hear often now. So I make my own canoe and toki (adze) and it came back. We must retain our artistry of carving and hand making our heritage as much as we can. Grinding will burn your out. Grounded is our way. In our own time.

Kalai va’a (canoe building) demos @pātakamuseum Porirua for Matariki are completed. A great time engaging with the public. I’m determined to raise the awareness and skill of Pacific peoples as canoe builders and sailors 1/2

I’m thankful for the support but I’m not an expert. I’m giving va’a building demos at @PatakaArtMuseum 12-15 July. Come along @ see the process in its current raw state & check it out again at the end of the year when sailing. This va’a is a pretty special one 🔗 in bio.

2/2 there’s nothing like observing the stars than with those who like tūpuna navigate by them and Master Navigator Piripi Smith and his team of @ateaarangi are some of the best. Check out their website and get along to the light shows.

Ei fea Matali’i, can you see Matali’i? To the right in the image, The Samoan canoe builder Lata is to the left. Kōpūnui (Jupiter) is the bright star. I caught this at the star compass @ateaarangi in Napier. Get along to @ateaarangi if you can over Matariki to the light shows 1/2

I’m determined to increase Polynesian sails and sailors in my local waters. And I’ll build va’a and teach sailing to achieve it because we have the right to see the world from heritage va’a from the moana. It is who we are.

Acknowledging #TeMatauAMaui waka (Napier) who for many years has sailed on ANZAC Day to pay respects. Thank you for representing in our way, E’o Te Matau! We also acknowledge our own fight for independence and those who also lost their lives. We will remember them.

Video updates on va’a alo build avail on Patreon 🔗in bio. #Samoa #vaa #heritage #terangihiroa

Matali’i va’a was invited to the Waka Ama Street naming ceremony led by Ngāti Toa & Porirua City Council. New homes for our community will be built here. Always nice to meet another waka in the neighbourhood & support a great purpose #porirua #kaingaora #homes

Te Rangi Hiroa published his field notes & journals on Samoan culture (and many Pacific societies he studied), in the 1930s. I’m able to follow the knowledge of Samoan tufuga va’a builders almost 100 years later to revive this Samoan va’a. That is incredible

Building a Samoan heritage sailing canoe from notes and journals of Māori anthropologist Te Rangihiroa during his research of Samoa in the 1920s. 100 years later here we are.

Lots to learn. Must increase safety for crew and canoe. Must use support vessel with novice crew. Almost 20 yrs I’ve been working toward building & sailing my own canoes in Porirua. It’s been a hard journey for my family and I but we’re doing it.

Va’a Talanoa online Sat 3 Dec 2pm matalii.com “Communities build va’a, va’a build communities” #samoa #ocean #porirua #pacific #vaa #canoe #sailing

We are launching this heritage Samoan va’a, come join the celebration or watch live matalii.com

Ia manuia fa’afetai 🙏🏽Thanks to many for the support. I started this va’a 5 years ago. This week I took it to the water for water tests. My goal was to revive Samoan / Tokelau heritage va’a. Next install mast & sail. Eventually she will sail Parirua, Kapiti, Raukawa moana.