TENA KOUTOU,
Pete and Takutai of Maori Eco-Cruises (formerly Myths & Legends Ecotours) are proud to promote their school camp programme Maori Eco School Cruises in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.
What better way to start or end the school year, than to spend a 1-day trip or 3-day camp cruising the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, swimming, dolphin watching, tramping, having fun while learning. Our eco school cruises are a very educational experience and an interesting exercise in oral histories.
Teachers can see below all the topics raised and can prepare the tamariki beforehand or use what they have learned throughout the year. You will find that Pete's korero will compliment your studies of Maori culture, History, Social Studies, Geography, and Science.
Our vessel "Tutanekai" is a 42-ft traditional launch ideally suited for his role, having bulwarks, flush decks, covered stern area with dropside curtains so that everyone can be under shelter if weather becomes inclement.
Over the years, we have developed a few special trip options for schools. Most trips are for just 1 day but we also offer a 3-day school camp. We are flexible and can create a personalized trip for your students. See below for more details, then contact us to discuss your trip.
NOTICE to TEACHERS/SCHOOLS:
Please remember to download and modify the EOTC External Provider Agreement Form as needed.
Extensive history of Captain Cook, his vessels, 3 round-the-world voyages and achievements that helped shape the future of Aotearoa.
Sealers, Whalers, missionaries, gold miners, fishermen, deforestation, sounds pastoral farming, forestry, aquaculture, subdivision, development the positive and negative effects of monocultures on the environment and culture.
You may encounter 3 species of dolphin, Orca (occasionally), seals, blue penguins, gannets.
We offer 3 options for our one-day trips: Bay of Mystery Tour, Captain Cook's Footprints, and Whale of a Tale. These trips are very popular with Marlborough schools, ideal for learning about our local history and culture. These day trips are available all year, weather permitting.
This year (2019) we are also offering a special Totaranui 250 eco/history tour.
Tutanekai has a survey for classes of up to 36 tamariki plus 4 adults, plus Whaea Takutai and Matua Pete for a total of 42 paxs. All Life Jackets are supplied and must be worn aboard Tutanekai at all times. Click Safety link for Health & Safety information.
COST: $50 +GST for each person (child or adult), max of 40 paxs.
DURATION: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (approximately)
NOTICE to TEACHERS/SCHOOLS:
Please remember to download and modify the EOTC External Provider Agreement Form as needed.
People / Topics discussed:
Two alternative tour options are available.
For more details... click to open PDF
People / Topics discussed:
Two alternative tour options are available.
For more details... click to open PDF
People / Topics discussed:
For more details... click to open PDF
2019 marks 250 years since the first of Captain Cook's three voyages.
To commemorate, we would like to Tautoko this Kaupapa of Dual Heritage - Shared Future by offering schools all-day Eco/History cruises on the Tutanekai following in the footsteps of both Kupe, Cook and Tupaia.
Sites visited/viewed:
Cooks Lookout, Kahura's pa site, Pickersgil Island, Bald Hill, East Bay, Ship Cove, Motuara Island, and Wharehunga where 10 of Furneaux's crew were killed.
For more details... click to open PDF
In addition to our 1-day trips, we also offer a 3-day school camp that allows you to see all the significant sites the Sounds has to offer. This includes catered stays at either Resolution Bay Resort or Furneaux Lodge.
COST: $150 +GST for each person (child or adult)
CAPACITY: max of 40 paxs.
DEPARTURE: 9:00 AM on day 1
RETURN: 5:00 PM (approximately) on day 3
For more details... click to open PDF
Being together on a boat for three days teaches tamariki a lot about respect - respect for their elders, each other and for the Tutanekai. By the end of the camp, they are always like a well-oiled machine, everybody knowing what jobs and roles they need to play. Parents help to tie the boat up, all of the tamariki learn how to steer the waka.
NOTICE to TEACHERS/SCHOOLS:
Please remember to download and modify the EOTC External Provider Agreement Form as needed.
As part of our cultural awareness theme, we encourage all schools to stay at the beautiful Waikawa Marae (for a catered or uncatered stay) on the night BEFORE the adventure starts.
Sleeping in the wharenui is like sleeping within the pages of a history book and is a wonderful, memorable experience. You can contact them directly or make a booking via their website.
If the Marae is booked out, an alternative accommodation place is the Waikawa Bay Holiday Park. You can check availability and book online via their website.
Begins with a cultural experience. We visit Te Awaiti, the first shore-based whaling station and first settlement in the South Island.
Later, you'll go on a guided walk with Matua Pete who will show and explain about the large Urupa of the early whalers and their families.
You'll get to see and touch whalebone that can still be found on the beach after a storm, and whale oil in the banks.
For more details... click to open PDF
You'll visit the Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary - home to some of New Zealand's rarest birds. Takutai will guide you to the top where there is a stage that towers over the treetops, learning about the native trees and bird life in the process.
We then spend the afternoon exploring "The Bay Of Mystery". This inlet is the most remote in the Sounds and is Maori's Spiritual Heartland of the Sounds.
You'll also see the remains of a sunken sailing ship called "The Prince of Wales" - one of NZ's immigrant ships. Then we'll steam over to Resolution Bay.
We start out with a visit to Endeavour Inlet to see the only catchment of virgin bush to be found at sea-level in the Sounds. It's like walking through Jurassic Park.
Next, we head over to Blumine Island for a guided 2-hour walk with Whaea Takutai through this island bird sanctuary. It is 4 times larger than the Moutuara Bird Sanctuary and has lots of ancient bush with lots of water.
It is also home to two WW2 Gun Emplacements, so there is a lot of history to be learnt from this experience.
Tutanekai has a Marine Operator Certificate to carry 42 passengers (within the Sounds) on school trips which includes 2 crew members.
We provide life Jackets for everyone, wearing is compulsory. Trip starts with a full safety briefing, by days end they are all familiarized and operate like a well oiled machine.
In 20 years of taking out school trips we have never had an injury among the parents or students ("knock on wood").
Here's What to Bring With You:
Sleeping bag
Pillow/case
PJ’s
Warm hat
Gloves
Water proof coat/Trousers
Thermals if available
x 2 Woollen Jerseys
x 2 Woollen Socks
x 2 Other Socks
Underwear, for the days away
Swimming togs
x 2 towels
x 1 tea towel
Plate, bowl & cup
Knife, fork & spoon
Torch (spare batteries)
Camera & Film
Any Medication!
Pete's Cell | 0275 404 407 |
Takutai's Cell | 022 137 2454 |
Picton Police | (03) 520-3120 |
Picton Medical Centre | (03) 573-6092 |
Wairau Hospital | (03) 520-9999 |
Tranzrail Rescue Boat | 111 |
Westpac Helicopter | 111 |
Arrow Water Taxi | (03) 573-8229 |
Beachcomber Cruises | (03) 573-6175 |
Cougar Line | (03) 573-7925 |
Resolution Bay Cabins | (03) 579-9411 |
Furneaux Lodge | (03) 579-8259 |
Waikawa Marae | (03) 573-7528 |
Waikawa Bay Holiday Park | (03) 573-7434 |
Mike Davey, St. Albans School, Christchurch
Grant Hakaria, Kaiako o Te Tikanga Rua Reo, Hato apani
Penny Henderson, Ohaka School
Kind regards, Anna Ballerby, 76 Moenui Bay R.D. 1
Sherry, Senior Class Teacher, Whataroa School
Sarah Peacock, Deputy Principal, Murchison Area School
Pete & Takutai Beech
Postal Address:
316A Waikawa Road, Waikawa, Picton 7220
☎ 03 573 6901 ◈ 📱 0275 404 407 ◈ 📧 info@MaoriEcoCruises.nz
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