A farewell ceremony has been held in Auckland for the Polynesian vaka fleet setting off on a voyage across the Pacific.
The five traditional vakas, or double-hulled canoes, have been undergoing modifications in Auckland before the fleet departs on Friday.
The Fiji crew's vaka is named Uto ni Yalo which translates as 'the heart of the spirit'.
Lautoka skipper Jonathan Smith says the 16 crew members on board will be living sustainably, fishing for food and respecting nature as the "old people" did.
Mr Smith says the first leg of the journey ends in Hawaii.
