Tongan double-hulled canoe "Tongiaki"

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Captured at the Auckland Maritime Museum for Educational Purposes Only. This Reproduction is Shared to Educate, Not for Profit or Personal Gain. All Rights and Intellectual Property are Reserved by the Creators of this Historic Vessel. The Sign Reads: Model Tongiaki: A Traditional Sailing Canoe from the Kingdom of Tonga A tongiaki is a large double-hulled canoe built by skilled craftsmen in Tonga, used for inter-island voyaging. The Tongan ancestors who migrated to New Zealand aboard these vessels likely sailed in similar canoes. These sturdy vessels were up to 21 meters long and could carry approximately 150 passengers, playing a significant role in the history of Polynesian navigation. The tongiaki's two equal-sized hulls are bridged by a raised, planked deck. The canoe is rigged with an Oceanic lateen sail, allowing it to sail efficiently without reversing direction when tacking. This historic vessel was in use until the late 18th century, when Tongan navigators adapted the double-hulled kalia from Fijian drua. Modelmaker: Tuione Fehoko Gifted by the Kingdom of Tonga