Sailing The Pacific

SJ P2 No3 2003 

- Sailing the Pacific

We are learning about traditional sailing and navigation methods used by early Polynesian voyagers.

Activity 1 - WALT locate, identify, select and present relevant information.

Traditional Pacific Navigators found land by looking for signs like clouds, birds, stars and ocean swells. 

Use the text to help you complete the table about traditional Pacific navigation tools. The first one has been done for you.

Clouds

Clouds moving across the sky slow down when they pass over land

The colour of the clouds would change if they were above land.

Birds

Watching these birds the Shearwater and Godwit helped to lead voyagers to land because they migrate on land. 

Stars 

At night, certain stars always rise and set at the horizon. 

Ocean Swells

Ocean swells, or other unusual movements in the water, could be a sign that land was near. 

Activity 2 - Read about the tirito ‘etu (or starpeeker)

The tirito ‘etu (or starpeeker) is a navigating instrument from the Cook Islands. It was made from an empty coconut shell with holes drilled in it. Water was filled to the level of the lower ring of holes. This helped to keep it lined up with the horizon as the boat moved up and down in the waves. The navigator looked through two of the holes until the reflection of a particular star came into view. The holes were positioned so that the star could be seen only when the vaka was directly east or west of its destination.

Activity 3 - The Vaka

Use the text to help you answer the following questions about ‘The Vaka’

What type of natural materials were used to build the vaka?

Two hulls made from many long planks carefully stitched together with cord made from coconut fibre. Their sails were often woven from pandunus leaves. 

How long was Kupe’s vaka and how many people could it carry?

Some of these ocean going vaka could carry up to 150 people. Kupe’s vaka may have been up to 21 metres long. 

What supplies were often carried on board?

Dried bananas, taro, breadfruit, coconut and fish.