Tuia 250

Overview

Commemorating our history as New Zealanders comes Tuia — Encounters 250, a program of events, education and more than 50 projects taking place this year from October to December, with Auckland hitting the spotlight at the end of October.

250 years on from the first onshore encounters between Māori and Pakeha people, the program looks to acknowledge Polynesian navigators and explorers of this time while also looking more broadly at our history as New Zealanders.

The central event of the program is Tuia 250 Voyage, which follows a flotilla of waka hourua, va'a tipaerua and tall ships as they sail along the coast of New Zealand from next month until the end of the year. Along the way they will dock at different cities for community events and offer the chance to visit the vessels in person.

The boats are set to arrive in Auckland on October 25 until 28/29, when visitors can visit the boats, engage with the crew as well as interactive displays, and listen to guest speakers. The program includes a collective of food trucks offering unique Polynesian and Māori food, live cultural performances and entertainment and fireworks. See the full list of events here.

Professed to be an honest conversation about our past and present, the event focuses on New Zealand Pacific voyaging history and the first onshore encounters between Māori and Pakeha in 1769-70.

The Tuia 250 website includes an interactive tracker to allow people to follow the flotilla.

Image: NZ Maritime Museum.