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Regional | Tāmaki Makaurau

Waka hourua sets sail on Auckland Anniversary

While some spent the day standing in queues at Auckland's many festivals today, a group of sailing enthusiasts had the wind in their hair.

Under the guidance of Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, his two children Turanga and Noenoe are following in his footsteps.

Turanga is in his 20s and has been sailing for nearly half his life.

He has sailed to Hawai'i and throughout the Pacific Ocean, but while his father is giving him the okay to captain a boat, he prefers to work behind the scenes.

Younger sister Noenoe was born into a life at sea and says her father's teaching style can be demanding at times.

“He's only angry when you don't follow instructions,  but other than that he's pretty good.”

Now the public can also experience sailing on a double-hulled canoe every weekend at the Auckland Viaduct.