Explore a stunning selection of feature vessels linked to the rich maritime heritage of The Pacific. Discover traditional and contemporary boats that celebrate the region's vibrant sailing culture and craftsmanship, offering a glimpse into the stories of adventure on the open water.
Te Uira
Built in 1896 by the storied Bailey Brothers in Auckland, Te Uira was one of the first racing yachts to be exported to the thriving colony of Victoria, Australia. One hundred twenty-eight years later, Te Uira has been returned to her former glory after a faithful restoration by Cygnet Wooden Boats, utilising a lucky cache of locally stored kauri, which rivals Huon pine as a boatbuilding timber. Find out more about Te Uira here. Or watch the latest Boat Folk II video featuring Te Uira here.
Te Karangatahi
Te Karangatahi, Australia’s first traditionally carved Māori Waka Taua, launched in Fremantle in 1996 and was later showcased at Federation Square in Melbourne, drawing over 50,000 spectators. The project, sparked by a suggestion from Jill Morgan (CEO of Kulcha Multicultural Arts WA & Multicultural Arts Victoria) to Wairangi (the vessel’s custodian), was always aimed at supporting at-risk youth. Initially hesitant, Wairangi gathered local rangatira, and together, they brought the waka to life, with the hull crafted in New Zealand and other taonga carved at Fremantle TAFE. Propelled by 20 paddlers, Te Karangatahi continues to embody cultural resilience, unity, and strength.
Ngataki (if she makes it across the ditch!)
Ngataki was built by a 20-something Johnny Wray while he lived at his parent’s house in Auckland during the Great Depression. In classic Kiwi fashion, Johnny designed the vessel from scratch, scavenged the materials, learnt all the necessary trades, and relied on the goodwill of friends and family to complete the project. He and his crew went on to have hilarious and sometimes nail-biting adventures throughout the South Pacific. Detailed in his autobiography South Sea Vagabonds, these exploits included the first trans-Tasman race against Te Rapunga in 1934. Find out more about Ngataki here.
Te Rapunga
Te Rapunga was launched by George Dibbern and his cousin from a small boatyard on the shores of Northern Germany on the eve of WWII. In 1934, she faced off against Ngataki in the first trans-Tasman race, from Auckland to Melbourne to Hobart. A self-declared citizen of the World, George flew a flag of his own design and sailed with many crews in the Pacific and as far north as Canada. Te Rapunga has since been meticulously restored and was relaunched in 2023. Find out more about Te Rapunga here.
Mahi Mahi
Originally built by brothers Dan and Matt Tucker of Bruny Island, Mahi Mahi was inspired by the outrigger voyaging proa of the Pacific. The unique design and sailing prowess of the Pacific proa served voyagers faithfully for thousands of years and has since influenced many high-performance and experimental modern yacht designs.
Grace
Small proas like this sit on the beach outside most outer-island houses in Kiribati. Used for transport and fishing in the large atoll lagoons, and racing on Sundays, they are often given poetic names like Tebutinnang (‘movement of clouds’). Grace is just under 18’ in length, with a maximum hull width of 16” (400 mm) and is strip-built of paulownia to a Gary Dierking design, which allows the boat to be easily disassembled and cartopped.
Lady Gay
Lady Gay was built for Joseph Wilson, the Proprietor of the New Zealand Herald and considered one of Auckland’s founding fathers. Like many New Zealand vessels, Lady Gay was offered to the New Zealand Navy and served as part of the coastal defence during WWII, clocking up 8,000 hours before returning to civilian life as a day cruiser. Classed as a New Zealand Protected Object, Lady Gay has permission to remain in Australia until 2027 before she must return home.
