Gaualofa Arrives in New Zealand

Gaualofa Arrives in New Zealand

Gaualofa has arrived in New Zealand shores but missed out of this morning's wero and official Maori welcome ceremonies and tamataora.

Still the Samoa Consul Faolotoi Reupena Pogi, Aiga Folau o Samoa President Leilua Ame Sene and key representatives of the Samoa community in Auckland were present at Okahu Bay during the welcome powhiri by Ngati Whatua for the 6 va'atele.

The Gaualofa crew will however arrive in Auckland on time for the civic reception hosted by Auckland Mayor Taua’aleto Len Brown and a public welcome scheduled for 3.00pm this afternoon at the Karanga Plaza (Wynard Crossing).

Samoa community leader Teleiai Edwin Puni said, “The tautai folau (Samoa navigators fraternity) has a distinguished standing in the Samoa society like the ‘tufuga ta tatau’ (the Samoa traditional tattooist fraternity), and the ‘tufuga fau fale po’o le tufuga fau va’a (the Samoa traditional builders fraternity).”

History states that the greatest surprise to the European discoverers of Samoa was the large fleet of canoes that swarmed around their ships. "Navigators Islands" was the name appropriately applied by these first white men.

Gaualofa with the other three va’atele, the Marumaru Atua (Cook Islands), the Uto Ni Yalo (Fiji), and the Haunui (Aotearoa) are returning from the recent International Union of Conservation and Nature, IUCN World Parks Congress in Australia where they delivered a united voice of concern regarding issues facing our Pacific Islands in particular our ocean and environment.

Meeting the MUA Voyagers in Auckland are Hokulea and Hikinalia from Hawaii who are on the second leg of Malama Honua World Wide Voyage.

Master Samoan traditional tattooist Su’a Tolouena Tuifa’asisina Letelemaana who was also at Okahu Bay said, “The arrival of the Gaualofa is a significant opportunity for Samoans in New Zealand to learn about celestial navigation and the courage of our forefathers who navigated the great Pacific Ocean.”

The crew of 16, a American skipper, 8 Tongans and 7 Samoans, are being hosted by the Pacific Collective at the Te Puea Memorial Marae, 41 Miro St, Mangere Bridge. The Samoan crew members are Lavata'i Mailagi - Vaivase uta; Senio Masalo – Salailua, Savaii; Makalio Brown – Vaitele; Fa'aeteete Moemoe – Malifa; Kimberly McGuire - Tafuna, American Samoa; Alex Taulelei – Gataivai; Fealofani Bruun - Samauga, Safotu, Lefagaoalii, Sagone, Poutasi Falealili.

The Gaualofa will remain in Auckland harbour till March next year after the hurricane season before it sails for Samoa.

ENDS

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