Tahitian navigator Francis Cowan and Maori master carver Matahi Brightwell are constructing an 83-foot-long waka hourua (traditional Polynesian double-hulled sailing canoe) that they will navigate by the stars from Tahiti to Peru, across 7500 kilometres of open ocean and against the prevailing wind and current.

The voyage retraces the route pioneered by their forebears a thousand years ago and unravels one of the enduring mysteries of the blue continent that has vexed anthropologists for decades - did early Polynesians sail to the Americas, more than a thousand years before Colombus' 'discovery'?

There is a renaissance of sorts in Pacific Voyaging, but few practice it like Francis Cowan and Matahi Brightwell. They eschew modern materials preferring instead to hew the hull from solid native timber with a hand adze, lash it with sennit rope, weave sails from pandanus, use bamboo masts and traditional sennit rope made from coconut fibre for rigging. There is not a single piece of metal or modern contraption on the waka.

Keep up to date with progress on the canoe simply by entering you name and email address below.

While many of the traditions of Polynesian canoe construction, maritime technology and star navgation are dwindling, this project serves to reinvigorate these arts where they still exist. Hawaiki Nui II is symbolic of the desire to remember the past, and a catalyst for the resurgence of traditional culture in the Pacific.

The website will follow the construction progress with regular updates. You can also 'join the crew' to subscribe to a short email newsletter that we will scribe a couple of times a year. More photographs, text and video will be added over time until the waka is ready for sea trials.

We gratefuly acknowledge the support of our key sponsor Creative New Zealand - Te Waka Toi. This is the largest waka hourua to be built in Polynesia for nearly a thousand years. It requires huge resources of time, energy and funds - if you are interested in supporting the project in any way please make contact with Raipoia Brightwell - raipoia@hawaikinui.org

There are two ways that you can help Matahi construct his canoe and voyage to South America and New Zealand. First, join the 'virtual crew' using the form above so we can keep you updated on progress - all your details will remain confidential and will never be passed on to a third party without your written consent. And secondly, consider making a donation. Timber and materials are expensive, and many skills have to be sourced from other parts of the Pacific which means flights for carvers and craftsmen from as far away as Easter Island, Samoa and New Zealand. The donation will go to the Tahitian-based registered charitable trust Association Te Pahi O Hawaiki Nui (created 04.09.04 / registration number: 716787). You'll be personally assisting the revival and preservation of Polynesian arts and culture.

Making a donation is easy and totally secure as the transaction is handled entirely by the internationally recognised PayPal service. Give as much or as little as you like - every bit helps! For more information, or for donations over $500 please contact Raipoia Brightwell - raipoia@hawaikinui.org +64 21 155-8237 amount $10 $20 $30 $50 $100 $150 $200 $300 $500