My name is Pete, myself, wife Takutai and son Tane run Myths & Legends Eco-Tours in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. We are a Maori Family who operate personalized Eco-Tours on a 75 yr old Kauri planked classic launch called “Tutanekai” that has a character and charm that makes people feel comfortable and relaxed. We visit remote bays & inlets far from the usual tourist beat, using local knowledge we visit dolphins, seals, bird colonies a shipwreck, Island bird Sanctuary, Wildlife Sanctuary,Derilict Whaling Station, Captain Cooks Monument, & Guided Bush walks through native forests. Our cruise is very educational, an opportunity for tourists to interact with Maori, learn about our culture ,our history, & learn about the Maori world view regarding the environment Our kaupapa is to keep the lost art of story telling alive, the old people say that stories stimulate dreams & if we lose the ability to dream our spirits will die. We connect with people at spirit level, one lady told us that our stories had left footprints on her heart ! We can introduce you to friends of ours that live in remote bays, it is often the meeting of these interesting characters that leave lasting memories. We have had great feed back from parents who have brought young families, Takutai & Tane are great with children, have a beachcomb, a paddle or swim at a secluded beach & relax & unwind. If you are travel weary Takutai will put soft cushions under you, wrap you in a warm duvet, and let the ocean waves rock you off to sleep. This is pure relaxation while your children are being entertained. We offer all day cruises / private charters, evening BBQ’s or two day overnight charters. Depending on your preference you can sleep aboard, or in a 5 star resort, or if you like to get close to nature , we have a tipee village and cookhouse on Arapawa Island. A favorite option is to stay at our friend Bosuns homestay, Bosun is descended from Maori Whalers, he will show you his whale bones & memorabilia, he’s a legend in his own time, a gentle giant with great stories of his own & our clients love him to bits. Don’t sit on a cruise with 50 or more people and be treated like sheep, experience our manakitanga (Maori hospitality, ) we often take charters for 2 people ! Our cruises are personalized and designed for small groups of people that have an interest in culture, history and for those that have an affinity for the natural environment.
Noho Ora Mai, Pete, Takutai & Tane
About Myths & Legends Pete, Takutai & Whanau (family)
Pete's family have lived in the Marlborough Sounds for six generations. His ancestors were Marlborough Sounds farmers and boat builders. They even have a bay named after them: "Beeches Bay".
Takutai is Maori, from the Ngaiterangi Iwi, her name means, "One who has an affinity with the sea". They have four children and one Mokopuna (grandson). All of their children: three sons and a daughter, have lovely natures and are extremely competent boat handlers.
As a result of their long family association with the Marlborough Sounds they have developed a strong sense of responsibility for the area. Following the devastation caused by the introduction of fast ferries, Pete founded a very successful environmental watchdog group called the "Guardians of the Sounds".
He is well qualified and happy to discuss environmental issues. Pete & Takutai have an amazing knowledge of the Marlborough Sounds and speak with a passion that is infectious.
As Pete says, "Our families have lived the history. When we speak of it, we speak from the heart; our business is an extension of our ethos. Ours is a personalised cruise where tourists can interact with Maori people and feel free to ask questions about our life style, our heritage, culture and environment."
Tutanekai: Tutanekai is a beautiful old two-masted classic launch, full of warmth & character and is named after one of the most famous love stories in Maori folklore (ask Pete to tell you the story.)It has large walk-around decks for looking at the wild life, a big boarding platform for swimming and diving, a dingy for rowing, and cabin tops ideal for sunbathing on big soft pillows. Relax on soft lounge chairs and if it's cold we wrap you up in duvets. He (not she) is over 70 yrs old and was built by E.R. Lane in Picton in 1930 out of full-length Kauri plank, 42 ft long, 10 ft beam, 3 ft 6 inches draft. Powered by a 471 GM diesel engine rated at 115 hp at 1800rpm. Cruising speed is at a comfortable 9 knots. Built for use as a passenger vessel over summer and as a mother ship towing harpooned whales back into the Whaling Station during the winter season. He has spent 30 years as a mail boat, then a fishing boat, then 20 years in the mussel industry pushing barges, where it was run down into a near derelict state.The old owner gifted the 'Tutanekai' to Pete who has restored him to his former glory.Cruise & Charter Packages (click here)
