Sail for Hope (Soko ni Nuinui) is bringing together indigenous navigation, Christian formation and climate action on a 50-day programme to show that the ocean is a bridge connecting cultures, parishes, and people.
Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa Kaituiui Rangatahi, Eli Tapine, will join the Fijian waka hourua Uto Ni Alo in Nadi. From there, the waka will sail to Vanua Levu and onward to Savusavu.
“This voyage forms part of the wider relationship building and learning connected to the Manuika Waka Hourua discipleship initiative, strengthening connections with Pacific voyaging communities and indigenous navigation traditions.”
Sail for Hope will involve 1,400 participants visiting eight locations across the Fiji Islands. It is led jointly by the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia, the Uto Ni Yalo Trust Fiji’s traditional voyaging society and is spearheaded by Fe’iloakitau Kaho Tevi, the current provincial Climate Commissioner.
At Savusavu, Eli will meet up with Gabriel Sousa from Brazil, who will join the crew for the remaining legs of the kaupapa, which will finish back in Suva in mid-May.
Gabriel is currently studying at the Federal University of Pará (Belém, Brazil) and serves as Chaplain for the Mission to Seafarers in his diocese. His participation represents the growing global network of indigenous led Anglican climate partnerships across Te Moananui a Kiwa, South America, and beyond.
The seven-week voyage will coincide with the seasons of Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost. Each week’s programme and services will be guided by scripture chosen to link the liturgical season with the sacred waters of Fiji.
Eli was recently invited to join a crew sail aboard Te Hau o Matariki in Tāmaki Makaurau.
“While the sail itself was postponed due to an incoming weather system, the trip proved far from a waste of time. It became an action packed few days of learning, networking, and hands on work within the waka hourua community.”
The silver lining of the weather disruption was the opportunity for Eli to spend time aboard five other waka hourua in Auckland — Hōkūleʻa, Hikianalia, Pūmaiterangi, Aotearoa One, and Haunui.
“I also spent time assisting with maintenance aboard Hōkūleʻa, often regarded as the māmā of the modern waka hourua fleet, where we helped the Hawai‘i crew step new masts and prepare new sails.”
A particular highlight for Eli was spending time with master navigator Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr.
“Being hosted by him and sharing kōrero about the Manuika discipleship kaupapa was a significant moment. The conversation included planting an early seed that the Mihinare Church is exploring stepping further into the waka hourua space.”
Manuika takes its name from the Samoan word manui‘a, commonly used to mean blessing, goodness, or wellbeing. Manui‘a: Care for Creation through Moana Discipleship is a project grounded in Moana Theology, drawing on biblical, liturgical, and theological approaches expressed through talanoa and indigenous Pasifika epistemologies.