Paddling teens in the right direction | Auckland Community | Stories about People from Auckland

Masini Tukuniu left Niue behind 50 years ago, but  he never forgot how to carve beautiful outrigger canoes. Now he's passing those skills on, writes Sharu Delilkan.

Fifteen Niuean boys have Zora Feilo to thank for learning about their cultural heritage
through Niuean vaka model-making. Master carvers Masini Tukuniu and Muiakitau Talauta are generously passing on the tradition thanks to Feilo, who has organised Artstation's Vaka Niue exhibition and the workshop that has preceded it.

The carved vakas (outrigger canoes) on display will be the fruit of the boys' labour, Produced at the workshop held recently at Unitec.

Feilo's grandfather, Masini Tukuniu, was a woodwork teacher in Niue in the 1950s so she asked him to help. He didn't need asking twice.

"I'm pleased to be able to help our youth reconnect with their Niuean culture, teaching them the traditional uses of the vaka as migration vessels,'' says the 86-year-old, who now lives in Avondale.

The exhibition also coincides with Niue's Constitution Day, Pule Fakamotu.

Feilo says she couldn't help chuckling at her grandfather's response when she asked him to provide her with plans for the vakas. "He said, `You just do it as you go along. There's no step-by-step. It's all in my head'.''

"Nothing was written down,'' explains Tukuniu, "that's why I'd like to pass on this skill to the younger generation so the art form is not totally lost.''

Carving the puke mua (bow) and puke tua (stern) of the vaka is especially difficult and  Tukuniu particularly wants to show his students how this is done.

Feilo is intensely proud that her sons, Zethan, 17, and Alexander, 15, have taken to making vaka.

"I am slowly discovering my roots and so I've been introducing my kids to the traditions. I'm really glad they're showing genuine interest.''

Vaka Niue, Artstation Gallery,
1 Ponsonby Rd, Newton,
Sept 30-Oct 10. Free. 
Ph 376 3221.