Iron Duke Sea Scout and year 9 Nayland student Josh Dunn recently sailed as part of the Tuia 250 Voyage flotilla that entered Picton in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s arrival in Aotearoa.

Josh said being part of the event was “quite fun”. He estimated there were over a hundred vessels of different traditions on the water on the day, from the HMS Endeavour replica to the Spirit of New Zealand and waka hourua.

The event was organised by the Tōtaranui 250 Trust and, according to trust chair Raymond Smith, its aims were nation-building, the sharing of cultures and language, and “trying to make New Zealand a better place.”

Josh and his fellow Sea Scouts stayed over in Picton the night before. “We got up early, rigged the boats and then we sailed out and waited out in the channel inlet and sailed in with the convoy,” he said.

“Because most of them were motor-powered and we were sailing, we had right of way. We started at the front but they mostly overtook us, but they had to get out of our way if we needed to turn.”

Josh has been involved in scouts since he was a cub in year 3. He says it is a great way to get out sailing and rowing and to make friends.