An all-female team from the Pacific region is preparing for a scientific expedition, aiming to study whale populations. Departing from North Island, New Zealand, the crew aboard the Hinemoana II will set sail from the Bay of Plenty in mid-July, expecting to arrive in Tongatapu by the 20th. Co-leading the expedition is Tongan Captain Aunofo Havea.
In a statement, Havea highlighted the opportunity the voyage provides to blend ancestral wisdom with scientific research for the wellbeing of the oceans and their marine life, specifically whales. The project involves the collaboration of the Tongan Voyaging Society, Te Whānau ā Apanui, and Conservation International Aotearoa. The unique combination of science and traditional knowledge aims to enhance understanding and preservation of the marine environment.
Fealofani Bruun, the first Samoan woman to become a yacht master, will serve as co-captain of the Hinemoana II, lending her proficiency in traditional navigation. She heralds the trailblazing nature of the expedition, pointing to the crew’s fusion of indigenous knowledge and modern science as a pathway for future guardians of the ocean.
Mere Takoko, Vice President of Conservation International Aotearoa, emphasized the importance of the data the crew will collect. Their findings will aid in advocating for the legal personhood of whales, an initiative supported by the Maori King Tuheitia.