About - Cook Islands Voyaging Society

Our Vision

“The Cook Island Voyaging Society is founded on a legacy of Pacific Ocean exploration. We seek to perpetuate the art and science of traditional navigation through voyaging, experiential education, and inspiring communities to care for each other, our culture, and our ocean environment.”

OUR MISSSION

To promote voyaging and thereby recognise and preserve our cultural ancestry; protect and conserve our Marae Moana - our oceans, lagoons, & waterways; contribute to a sustainable environment; achieve broad participation, recognition and support for our endeavours; ignite the voyaging spirit whilst developing voyaging for the benefit of the people and the growth of all communities of the Cook Islands.

founder | Sir tom davis

The Cook Islands Voyaging Society (CIVS) was established in 1992 (formally incorporated in 1993) and was primarily led and founded by former Cook Islands Prime Minister Sir Tom Davis. He was a key catalyst in the revival of traditional Polynesian voyaging, designing and building the society's first replica canoe, Te Au o Tonga, in 1994.

Marumaru atua

In 2014, Okeanos Foundation’s CEO Dieter Paulmann gifted Marumaru Atua to the Cook Island Voyaging Society.

Board of civs

President - Ian Karika Vice Presidents - Teina Rongo, Deon Wong, Evangeline Wong, Nick Henry Secretary - Byron Brown, Treasurer - Rory Quirke

Our captain | Deon Wong

CIVS is very fortunate to have a skipper Deon Wong to be part of the Voyaging Society over the last several years, he brings a wealth of experience and hands on maintenance skills that he is able to pass on to the new ones coming through. He was a former Captain in New Zealand Waka down and we are greatful for the skills he brings to the Vaka community here.