The R. Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust has been delivering youth development voyages on the tall ship Tucker in Northland for over 20 years. With a mission to deliver learning for life through the sea, their 7-day Youth Voyage has a strong focus on empowering youth, developing transferable skills and building connections. A sense of belonging, teamwork, problem solving, goal setting, self-management, confidence and communication skills are fostered through the combination of tall ship sailing, challenging activities and exploring the Bay of Islands.
12 trainees aged between 14 and 18 years old from Taitokerau Northland are supported by 4 experienced crew. The small number of trainees on board enables each voyage to be unique, based on the needs and interests of the trainees. Each programme is designed with the trainee’s input on the first night. Visits to islands, exploring below the waterline, learning about the history of the bay, climbing the rigging, adventure-based learning games and other activities are interspersed with lessons such as safety at sea, navigation, biosecurity, sailing theory, wellbeing and much more.
The Tucker challenge and the chance to receive the famous Tucker Turkshead bracelet provide a great opportunity for the trainees to get outside their comfort zone.
Funding for Youth Voyages is only available for Northland residents.
About the voyage
On arrival, trainees are allocated bunks and whānau and friends are invited to have a look around the ship and stay for the welcome. The first day is focused on orientation; safety procedures, getting to know each other, familiarisation with the ship, an introduction to the lines and sails, going for a sail and often an island hike.
A typical day starts with an early morning swim, followed by chores such as cleaning the brass and scrubbing decks before breakfast. The trainees work in watch groups to experience the different sail stations and associated chores, progressing their sailing skills and teamwork.
The final days of the voyage are the “takeover days”. The crew hands over ownership of passage planning and handling the sails to the trainees, providing minimal assistance, and creating a strong sense of achievement and mastery within the trainees. The trainees will vote for their captain, first mate and teams for the different sail stations.
Most voyages depart and return to Opua, sailing around the Bay of Islands, and depending on weather and sea conditions, they could go north as far as the Cavalli Islands and Whangaroa or south to Mimiwhangata.
Most voyages meet with the Project Island Song team to experience hands-on conversation work in the bay.
The crew will post updates each night on the website blog so family and friends can follow the journey.
Please note, funding for Youth Voyages is only available for Northland residents.
The Tucker operates under a Maritime New Zealand Operators Certificate.
The Trust is a Recognised Activity Provider of Adventurous Journey Training, Adventurous Journey Practice and Qualifying Journey and Gold Residential sections.
All trainees must register for the award via their school or youth group before their voyage.
During a 7-day Youth Voyage, provided trainees fully participate in all the activities, the following DOE requirements could be met;
- Bronze – Training (day 1), practice (day 2/3) and qualifying journey (Day 4/5)
- Silver – Training, practice and qualifying journey
- Gold – Training, practice (days 2 and 3) and qualifying journey (days 4-7) O
- Gold – Residential (5 days) and practice journey (2 days) only
Note: If you have previously completed a practice journey in another discipline, we recommend registering the Tucker voyage as the practice journey.
Note: Not all participants on board will be Award participants.
After the voyage, trainees have 2 options;
- Upload their voyage certificate to their online record book as evidence, this option will bypass any link to R. Tucker Thompson
- Click on the link to prompt an automatic email to Tucker Youth Manager, the assessor for adventurous journeys.
Regular voyage departures between May and November.
Please contact their Youth Manager, [email protected] to find out more.
“Since 2012 our school, Otamatea High School, has placed DOE Gold students on the R Tucker Thompson 7-day Youth Voyages for their Gold Residential section requirements. The Youth Voyages develop life skills, increase confidence, resilience, understanding of others, leadership and teamwork skills. Our students all come back wearing their Tucker Challenge bands and excitedly share all the wonderful experiences they have had.” – Robyn Bruce, Otamatea High School
Vision | Te Whāinga Matua
By Northland, for Northland - empowering Northland youth to lead rewarding lives.
To run a full ship by extending the impact of our work to their schools, families and communities across the region.
We are a values-driven organisation, one that operates under the principles of whanaungatanga, bringing people together as a family. The things which are important to us are:
Whānau — Connection, Belonging
Pono — To be True, Honest, Genuine
Tika — Upright, Authentic, Integrity
Aroha — Respect, Inclusive
Purpose | Te Koronga
By empowering Northland youth to lead rewarding lives we will drive positive outcomes for these young people, their whānau and their communities across Te Tai Tokerau.