Samoa Voyaging Society to welcome the Ngahiraka Waka from Aotearoa NZ

Apia, Samoa – 14 October 2025 – The Aiga Folau Samoa, the Samoa Voyaging Society is set to welcome traditional navigators from Aotearoa New Zealand in a momentous and historical occasion this week.

The Ngahiraka Waka from the Te Kura Waka Aiga Folau, in Tauranga, Aotearoa New Zealand, is expected to arrive on Samoa’s shores on Wednesday morning.

The President of Aiga Folau Samoa, Leota Fitimaula Donna Aiono Le Tagaloa Ioane said, “Aiga Folau Samoa is excited to welcome our Aotearoa Aiga Folau, the Te Kura Waka family. This is a most significant and historical occasion.”

The Ngahiraka departed New Zealand for Samoa on 25 September 2025 and is being navigated by eight (8) crew of traditional navigators as their final graduating voyage, using traditional navigational knowledge of the winds, sun, stars, moon, clouds, waves and seabirds to navigate their voyage from Aotearoa to Samoa.

But in accordance with International Maritime safety protocol, the Captain of Ngahiraka, is equipped with modern instruments and technology such as GPS to ensure compliance with safety guidelines.

“This is a timely reminder from our Aiga i Aotearoa to remind us, of the importance of folauga and retaining the traditional knowledge and navigation skills should be to us, as tagata Samoa,” said Leota Fitimalu Aiono le Tagaloa Ioane.

It is expected for the Ngahiraka to make landfall around the South Coast area on Wednesday morning. Samoa’s Gaualofa, will be standing by at the South coast, where they will sail out to meet their voyaging family at sea, and escort the Ngahiraka Waka and crew to shore.

The Te Kura Waka Aiga Folau crew will be hosted at Poutasi, Falealili where the Founder and Vice Patron of Aiga Folau, Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale resides.

The traditional navigators of Ngahiraka will have the opportunity to visit Samoa’s only Indigenous school, Le Amosā o Sāvavau, where Leota Fitimaula is Principal. They will also have time to visit Samoa’s popular landmarks.

The Ngahiraka Waka will be in Samoa for approximately a week before continuing its graduating voyage to locate Tonga, using traditional navigation methods.

The graduating voyage will conclude when Ngahiraka makes it way back to Aotearoa New Zealand.