Trainee Day was a huge success - well done everyone!

As we near the last day of our voyage, it’s time to deep clean the ship. We’ve been busy onboard, and with so many people we need to give the ship some attention, getting into all the nooks and crannies to keep her in pristine condition.

After the mahi of the clean, it will be time for fun - swimming and activities. We will also move the ship closer to Auckland.

There are still 24 hours of the voyage to go, and we’ll make the most of every moment enjoying time with our new friends and shipmates.

Trainee Day has begun!

Yesterday afternoon was our final crew-led sail, where we nailed down our tacking skills and created opportunities for our leaders to shine. After dinner came election time - we now have a trainee-run crew: Captain, Cooks, Engineers, and everything in between.

The next 24 hours are in the trainees’ hands. It’s been a successful morning so far with the morning swim and cleaning all ticked off. The anchor is coming up and sails are being prepped as we write.

We’re off for a day of sailing, exploring, and swimming fun.

What a beautiful evening last night - our first cloudless night. Trainees spent the evening out on deck singing songs under the stars.

The sun is shining here this morning. We are getting our rafts inflated, ready to go ashore to play some games and stretch our legs.

Routines are now solid, with trainees even taking over running Colours (our morning formal ceremony). Friendships are strong, and we are excited to spend the last few days together in the drier weather.

What an epic sail we had this morning! A 25-knot southerly then southwesterly wind propelled the ship across the Firth of Thames. It was rainy, it was windy, and we felt very much alive!

We came to anchor in Man O’ War Bay and enjoyed some inside activities while drying out a bit as the winds peaked around 4pm. The wind has now eased back to a steady 20–25 knot westerly and the rain has eased.

To round off a great day, we’ve got some fun and games planned for this evening once all the dinner dishes are done.

It’s set to be a peaceful night ahead, and we’re looking forward to a good night’s sleep and improving weather as we wake up tomorrow.

As the ex-tropical cyclone moves down the country, the wind for the Spirit has veered to the southwest and west for the afternoon and evening.

The Spirit will be anchored in the shelter of Waiheke this afternoon and evening, experiencing average westerly winds of 20–30 knots, with the strongest westerlies reaching 30 gusting 40 knots between 3pm–6pm today. This is very manageable and business as usual for the experienced crew.

The wind will then gradually ease overnight, veering further northwest to north-northwest, and dropping right off tomorrow morning.

The weather warnings for rain, flooding, and coastal inundation do not affect us at all, and we are happy and well onboard the beautiful Spirit. Our thoughts are with those who are affected by the weather.

Good morning everyone! The ship fared very well during the night and the winds were not as fierce as expected. The trainees got a good night’s sleep and are energised for another good, but wet, day onboard.

With rain falling and seas a bit turbulent, it was decided to forego the morning swim and instead go through the spray from the fire hydrant on the aft deck and play paper, scissors, rock. This brought plenty of squeals and laughter as each person hoped to win the round first go.

We then enjoyed a nice warm breakfast to fill the belly and fuel the body.

Well, it has been a very busy and energetic day. We are snug inside the ship, with the sound of laughter and chatter emanating from the aft cabin as the trainees wind down with their peers.

The crew are ready, and plans are in place, to tend the ship overnight as the wind increases. It will be a long night ahead, but everyone is in good spirits and the ship is strong and built to handle these conditions.

To all the families and communities out there, stay safe and dry.

The wind is 20 knots gusting 30, so really not too bad at all. The sea is a bit choppy but with no swell. Light drizzle is passing through, but it’s still relatively warm.

All is very well onboard. We’ve had a busy morning with the trainees achieving another of their goals by climbing to the very top of the foremast. With the added challenge of windy conditions, this was an absolute highlight.

They’ve also had a lesson on reading and using charts as a build-up to learning navigation. Now, after lunch has settled, they’re out enjoying a swim, yard swing, and even doing backflips off the side of the ship!

They’re having a blast and making the most of every opportunity.

Stay tuned for another update later tonight.

Good morning e te whānau. The wind has picked up a bit since 0500, currently 20 knots gusting up to 35 knots, but the sea is still smooth, so all is well onboard and life is continuing as normal.

The trainees are completing their chores, cleaning the ship on deck and below, and helping the Cook with vegetable preparation.

We will be staying at anchor today and enjoying the shelter the land provides. There are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy and having fun, while the crew closely monitor the weather forecasts.

We have arrived at a safe, calm anchorage after a very nice sail.

The trainees have been practicing tacking the ship and learning how it really works! They also enjoyed a range of deck games along the way, building teamwork and leadership skills while having a huge amount of fun.

To round the day off, we were treated to a spectacular sunset.

Anchors aweigh, we waved farewell to Aotea - thanks for having us!

We are now underway, sails set, wind blowing 20 knots, and the sea just a little choppy. Our destination is the Firth of Thames.

Morale is high as we continue our adventure, and in the words of Brooke, “We are HAPPY!!!”

The trainees have been ashore today for a hike up Mount Hobson. It’s been a misty, moody day here at Aotea as they walked through beautiful bush, chatting with their shipmates along the way.

They returned tired and muddy, so a swim was perfect to revive and clean off before beef stew and mashed potato, followed by a yummy dessert. Everyone will sleep well tonight.

We’ll be setting sail tomorrow and heading back towards the Firth of Thames in calm conditions, ahead of the winds and sea state building with the incoming cyclone. We’re keeping a close eye on it and plan to be nicely sheltered behind the hills of the southern Coromandel Peninsula well before the winds arrive. The rain won’t trouble us - it just runs off the deck and joins the ocean.

We woke to the sound of rain pattering on the deck. It was a challenge to step out into the rain in your togs before jumping into the water - but so worth it.

After a hearty breakfast, we hauled the anchor and set the sails, destined for Aotea (Great Barrier Island). Helming (steering) the ship, learning knots, and tending the sails were all learning opportunities along the way. The rolling seas made each task a little harder, but added to the sense of adventure.

Aotea appearing out of the mist was a welcome sight, and once we entered the sheltered waters of Port Fitzroy the sea went glassy and still as the ship came to rest at anchor.

Then it was time to freshen up with a fun swim and settle in for an evening with friends.

We spent the day sheltered behind the Coromandel Peninsula, which gave us calm seas and much lighter winds than other parts of the Hauraki Gulf.

It was a day for learning more about the ship - how to climb the mast safely, work with lines etc. We also set the sails for the first time, went for a short sail, and tacked the ship.

Friendships are forming, teamwork is developing, and the trainees are discovering the joys of life at sea - even in the rain!

Nau mai haere mai Voyage 940! Trainees came together from all around the country and stepped onboard the ship, excited and nervous. They were soon put to work loading stores and preparing the ship for our voyage.

The lines were cast off around 1630 and we motored out of the Waitematā Harbour, through the Tāmaki Strait and across the Firth of Thames to a sheltered anchorage off Deadman’s Point, south of Manaia Harbour, arriving around 2100.

The anchorage gave us plenty of shelter from the windy weather and everyone enjoyed a good night’s sleep.

The adventures have begun...