Meet the Gaualofa Crew While in Auckland

Meet the Gaualofa Crew While in Auckland

Pacific island rivalry on the sports field is a well-known fact. But to see these sons and daughters of the Pacific working in unison in bringing the Gaualofa in to the beach at Okahu Bay in such horrible weather last night was a moving experience - 9:25pm exact.

The va’atele Gaualofa on this voyage has a mix crew from Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Fiji, Aotearoa and American Samoa.

Seeing them working as a team reminds me of American gospel and soul music singer Rev. Al Green’s song “The message is love“...Love is the message and the message is love. From the streets to the mountains to the heavens above. Tell everybody. Tell everybody what you're dreaming of. Tell them love is the message and the message is love.”

For the next few days, the public have access to view and touch the alia while beached at Okahu Bay, and the opportunity to hear stories of the ocean from the crew.

A BBQ is being organised by the Pacific Collective tomorrow (Friday, 12th December 2014), 7pm – 10pm at Okahu to farewell many of the crew members who will start flying home this weekend for the Christmas holiday.

Families, friends and the public are welcomed to bring a pot of food and join the crew tomorrow evening.

The Gaualofa with the Uto Ni Yalo from Fiji and the Marumaru Atua from the Cooks Islands will remain in New Zealand until March next year.

ENDS

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