Voyage 948 is back alongside Princes Wharf, and the tearful farewells are underway. Safe travels home, everyone.

It has been amazing sailing with you all. Thanks for stepping up, finding your wairua and taking on the challenge of the Spirit of New Zealand.

You are now part of the Spirit whānau.

Yesterday was a day filled with tons of sailing across the Hauraki Gulf. We departed soon after cleaning and spent some time practising our tacks and honing our skills to prepare for Trainee Day. We even managed a successful silent tack!

Once we had struck our sails, we headed downstairs for our Trainee Day elections, which were incredibly democratic. Our evening was spent eating dinner prepared by our new cooks, stargazing and planning for our big day. Bedtime stories were a great success.

After a good night’s sleep, we were lucky enough to have a pod of bottlenose dolphins come and visit us while at anchor and show us some tricks.

If this is the start of our day, imagine the possibilities of what’s to come!

Exploring Aotea (Great Barrier Island) on foot was the mission for today. Cleaning the Ship, vege prep done, rafts inflated, lunch made, briefings done and gear packed. Then we set off, paddling to Kiwiriki, where the walk started.

Walking up over the first ridgeline, then down into a valley with a stream where some took the opportunity for a dip in the fresh water. Setting off again over the next ridge and down to Bushes Beach, where we reunited with the rafts for the paddle back to the Ship.

Once back onboard, there was time for a swim before getting back into the rafts and heading ashore to Smokehouse Bay for dinner and singing around the campfire. Paddling back to the Ship under the stars and seeing the bioluminescence was magical.

Tired and happy, sleep was welcomed.

We launched the luggers (small sailing boats) today, and the rangatahi took charge of their waka, sailing them around for a couple of hours. They also had the opportunity to achieve some of their goals, climbing to the top of the foremast, out to the ends of the yards and swinging off the side of the Ship on the yard swing.

During the evening, we moved the Ship around to the eastern side of Great Barrier and anchored in Smokehouse Bay.

We set our sails and departed our beautiful anchorage at Great Mercury Bay. Our new destination was the eastern side of Great Barrier Island, a total of 50 nautical miles away.

The wind propelled us across the ocean with ease, and with very little sea state, it was a comfortable ride. Along the way, there was a series of electives for the Trainees to participate in and gain valuable skills for when they take over the running of the Ship. These included Engineering, Cooking, Navigation, Mates and General Deck duties.

During the afternoon, there was time for a little quiet reflection, recharging our batteries and taking in the serenity of sailing the seas.

Epic Day!!!

The day was jam-packed with activities and the Trainees were hyped, making the most of every opportunity. The Trainees got to go ashore

for the morning. They pumped up the rafts and paddled ashore, did a beach clean, swam off the beach, threw a ball around and enjoyed a picnic lunch brought in for them.

After getting back to the Ship, teamwork was needed to haul the rafts back onboard before setting the sails. Our destinat

ion was an anchorage on the eastern side of Great Mercury Island, with a view of the island’s towering cliffs and out towards the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.

Quote of the day from a Trainee:

“You can’t change the direction the wind is blowing, you can only change the direction of your sails.”

Kia ora e te whānau.

We spent the day at anchor, sheltered from the worst of the strong winds by the hills of the Coromandel Peninsula. We had an awesome day of competitions and games designed to build teamwork and leadership, along with plenty of laughter and a real sense of achievement.

I wish you could all see the fun we are having – the smiles on faces and the sound of 39 teenagers talking to each other like lifelong friends.

Ahiahi mārie e te whānau.

After a good night’s sleep, we had a quick morning dip to shake off any sleepiness, followed by a hearty breakfast and a clean of the Ship. This is our morning routine before heading off on the day’s activities.

Today we sailed from Waiheke Island around Cape Colville and down the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula to a bay called Te Karaka. Feeling the Ship rise up and over the swells and speed through the water as the sails propelled us along at 9 knots was a new and exhilarating experience.

Along the way, there were opportunities to learn knots, hang out with shipmates and watch the wildlife. Everyone is settling in nicely to their new normal.

Wow – has it really only been 24 hours onboard? The trainees have already learnt so much! From handling ropes and learning safety procedures to climbing the mast, there’s been plenty to take in.

And it all came into play today as we set the sails for the first time and made our way from Motuihe Island to Hooks Bay at the northeastern end of Waiheke Island.

The morning swims are chilly, and the southerly wind during the day isn’t much warmer, but with smiles on our faces and the friendship of our fellow shipmates, we’re having FUN!

Voyage 948 departed Princes Wharf at 1700. There are 39 eager rangatahi onboard, ready to learn about life at sea and explore all the challenges and fun it brings. We anchored at Motuihe Island for the first night in nice, calm water, enjoyed a beautiful sunset, shared a yummy meal and started getting to know our shipmates.