For the people of the Niuas to have their own boat, enabling them to travel from Tonga’s isolated northern group of islands to Tongatapu and the capital Nuku’alofa, some 754km south, is a dream come true.

On Friday, 24 November, King Tupou VI launched the ‘Utuma’atu, a 50ft trimaran at the Faua Wharf, Nuku’alofa.

The 50ft long and 30ft wide trimaran, with lug sail, was built in New Zealand in a project led by Dr Sitiveni Halapua, a native of the Niuas, and a former member of parliament.

At the launching of the ‘Utuma’atu Dr Halapua expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Noble Kalaniuvalu Fotofili and the commitment of the people of the Niuas in Tonga and overseas to finance the trimaran, costing NZD$870,000.. “There was no contribution from any foreign aid donors.”

The ‘Utuma’atu can carry 12 passengers with two tonnes of cargo. If there is no wind, its on-board engine is capable of doing seven to eight kilometres an hour.

Sitiveni stressed that ‘Utuma’atu would be powered by its two sets of lug sails. He estimated that if the wind is right the ‘Utuma’atu could take 48 hours to sail from Nuku’alofa to Niuatoputapu, and they are preparing to start their service to the Niuas before Christmas.

The ‘Utuma’atu is captained by Ian Johnston, an Australian, assisted by ‘Aunofo Havea Funaki and two crew members.

‘Aunofo is an experienced sailor who owns and operates her own Whale Watching company, Vaka & Moana Co. in Vava’u. She is also the founder and Managing Director of the Tonga Voyaging Society and a member of the Okeanos Foundation, which promotes sustainable sea transport.