Niuean canoe "Vaka Heke Tahi"

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Captured at the Auckland Maritime Museum, this model is shared exclusively for educational purposes. All copyrights and intellectual property rights are strictly reserved by the creators of this canoe. The sign at the museum clearly states: Vaka Heke Tahi: A traditional outrigger paddling canoe originating from Niue. Fishing in Niue requires fishermen to carry their canoes over the reef and launch directly into the open ocean, with no sheltered lagoon to provide protection. To simplify this process, the hull of this canoe is deliberately designed to be extremely light. To construct this vaka, a small log is carefully hollowed out, then a 'whaleback' deck and 'washtrade' sides are added to keep water at bay. The stringer (wooden pole) connecting the crossbeams is loosely secured at one end, allowing for easy movement when carrying the canoe on the fisherman's shoulder. Only one person would typically paddle this canoe while fishing, but in Niue, larger canoes accommodating three or four fishermen are also built. Dimensions: 14 ft 10 in / 4.52 m (length), 4 ft 3 in / 1.3 m (beam overall).