Whether we are Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island, Niuean, Fijian, Pakeha or even African, we are all descended from ancestors who were extraordinary navigators. People who made epic journeys so that we here, can enjoy the lives we now have.

This event is being held to remember the amazing skills of these people, their courage, their determination and  the way they provided for their families and their future. We want to honour them for the gift they have given us and to remind ourselves that as their children, we can accomplish great things too.

We honour Maui tiki-tiki-a-tāranga. An extraordinary innovator who combined ancient wisdom with excellent technology to make landfall in the Islands of Aotearoa and provide a new home for his people. In front of us today, we see the amazing technology he used.

In a wonderful way, in the tradition of the Navigators, Manaiakalani the star-line has brought Mālama Honua to us, "Manaiakalani the People" using the same technologies Maui used all those centuries ago.