Cruising into a past steeped in history and tradition

The traditions of waka voyaging and history of the development of Tamaki Makaurau - now known as Auckland - are being captured in a new tourism venture centred on the Waitemata harbour.

Auckland Harbour Tours was launched in late September and has already hosted a number of tour groups and special interest excursions, despite being very much in its infancy as a Maori tourism operation.

Established by Karen Lowther - a descendant of the original iwi of the Auckland region, Wai-O-Hau, Ngati Te Ata, Te Puru O Tamaki and Ngapuhi - the new venture has added a new dimension to the tourism product centred on the City of Sails.

Guide Awhitia Mehaere Davis and
skipper John McCaffery aboard one of
the cultural cruise vessels now
plying the Waitemata harbour.

The company’s cruises begin with a traditional Maori welcome and karakia (prayer) and Maori guides then provide a pre-European historical perspective of the region, while sailing the waters of the Waitemata.

Commentary from the guiding staff is based on information drawn from a wide range of sources, historical references and stories handed down over generations, from family to family.

Packages are tailor-made to the requirements of groups, with contemporary hangi meals being provided while Auckland Harbour Tours’ vessels are plying the waters of the Waitemata.

The idea of cruises which embraced local history - delivered by local Maori - emerged in 2002 while Karen was organising charters during the last America’s Cup regatta.

“I realised that no cultural stories were being told on a harbour which has been used by our people for centuries,” she says.

“There is obviously a lot of interest in the Maori history of the Auckland region because we are now getting enquiries and bookings from all four corners the world,” she says.