The Cook Islands Voyaging Society Inc was established as a non-profit organisation in 1992 after the 6th Pacific Arts Festival held on Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The Society was registered in September 1993 and the registered office is c/o The Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Development.

The vaka ‘Te Au o Tonga’ was built by the Cook Islands Voyaging Society, under the leadership of the canoe builder & designer, Sir Thomas Davis, in 1994 - to participate in a joint voyage with other Polynesian canoes to Hawaii and as a vessel to carry out the aims of the Cook Islands Voyaging Society (CIVS).
It is the only traditional ocean voyaging canoe now existing in the Cook Islands.

The aims in the Constitution of the Cook Islands Voyaging Society are to:

• Recover and relearn knowledge, skills and traditions about
  constructing traditional Cook Islands ocean voyaging canoes.
   
• Cook Islands voyaging heritage.
   
• Building mastery in the canoe building arts.
   
• Training of crew to safely and successfully complete an ocean voyage throughout the Pacific.
   
• To recruit young people from throughout the Cook Islands to be trained in the skills of canoe building, sailing and celestial navigation.

The objectives are to:

• Perpetuate this knowledge through a masters and apprenticeship program.
   
• Validate the findings of the project by successfully undertaking and completing open ocean voyages along ancient migratory routes.
   
• Perpetuate and preserve the knowledge, skills, practices and traditions generated by this project through a broad range of educational programs and made part of the Cook Islands education curriculum.
   
• Develop pride and appreciation for Cook Islands voyaging heritage and accomplishments of Cook Islands voyaging people today through communications and dissemination of information about the project.

Sixty-five members from a cross section of the community make up the Voyaging Society and the Executive Committee is made up of:

• President
• Vice President
• General Secretary
• Treasurer
• 5 Elected Executive Members
• Secretary of Cultural Development (ex-official)
• Honorary solicitor

The Society is actively engaged in raising awareness of its activities & aims and has spearheaded many successful campaigns such as:

• The construction, in 1994, of a 72’ replica of a Polynesian double hulled voyaging canoe ‘Te Au O Tonga’.
   
• The inaugural return round voyage in 1995 to Raiatea, Tahiti, Nuku Hiva, Hawaii, Molokai and Oahu of ‘Te Au O Tonga’.
   
• August 1995, Te Au O Tonga sailed as part of the protest fleet to Moruroa.
   
• In 1996, the voyage of ‘Te Au O Tonga’ to the VII Pacific Arts Festival in Samoa and then on to Tonga and New Zealand and return voyage to Cook Islands.
   
• Voyage to the 2000 Millennium celebrations in Gisborne, NZ in 1999.
   
• To the VIII Pacific Arts Festival in New Caledonia in 2000.
   
• Voyage in 2002, to Tahiti, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa, Borabora, Mitiaro and return.
   
• 2002, a short trip to Aitutaki for ‘Te Au O Tonga’ to participate in movie “The Legend of Johnny Lingo”.

The 2005 Cyclones:
The Traditional Voyaging Vaka ‘Te Au O Tonga’ was badly damaged during the 5 cyclones that hit Rarotonga in February 2005. Despite efforts to secure the Vaka from sustaining damage during the cyclones one of the hulls was smashed and other damage was incurred.

The Society has spent the last 3 years raising funds to repair the damage & working on the vaka. Repair work has been carried out by a dedicated & committed team of CIVS members & other individuals committed to seeing the vaka sailing once more. Over this period the Society has been the recipient of sponsorship from the EU Fund & some very generous individuals.

Te Au O Tonga’ was re-launched on the 9th July 2008 and is preparing for its voyage to participate in the 10th Festival of the Pacific Arts in American Samoa.

Crew List:

Men
Garth Henderson - Captain
Tua Pittman - Navigator
Ian Karika - Sail Master
Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp - Watch Captain
Ti Pekepo - Watch Captain
Teau Kamana - Watch Captain
Brown Apera - crew
Harry Goodwin - crew
Malcolm Laxton-Blinkhorn - crew
Nga Enua - crew
Keith Mokotupu - crew
Nick Henry - crew
Masterton Enjoy - crew

Women
Jayne Aperau - crew
Tapu Paitai - crew
Pare Taruia - crew

Contact person
Eva Nepia Clamp - General Secretary
Phone: +682 23 779
Mobile: +682 54 779
Email: tangaroa@oyster.net.ck