Reviving the Lost Art of Canoe Building in New Caledonia

In October on the island of Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was pushed into the coastal lagoon – a simple gesture that represented a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in living memory, an event that united the island’s three chiefly clans in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has spearheaded a initiative that seeks to restore traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been crafted in an initiative aimed at reconnecting native Kanak communities with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also facilitate the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and ecological regulations.

International Advocacy

This past July, he visited France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for maritime regulations created in consultation with and by local tribes that honor their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always navigated the ocean. We forgot that knowledge for a time,” Tikoure explains. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Traditional vessels hold profound traditional meaning in New Caledonia. They once symbolised mobility, interaction and clan alliances across islands, but those customs declined under colonisation and outside cultural pressures.

Heritage Restoration

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was exploring how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure worked with the administration and after two years the canoe construction project – known as Project Kenu Waan – was born.

“The hardest part was not wood collection, it was convincing people,” he says.

Project Achievements

The program worked to bring back heritage voyaging practices, train young builders and use vessel construction to strengthen community pride and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the group has created a display, published a book and supported the building or renovation of approximately thirty vessels – from the far south to the northern shoreline.

Natural Resources

Unlike many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has limited wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for carving large hulls.

“Elsewhere, they often work with marine plywood. In our location, we can still work with whole trees,” he explains. “It makes a significant advantage.”

The vessels created under the initiative combine oceanic vessel shapes with Melanesian rigging.

Teaching Development

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and traditional construction history at the University of New Caledonia.

“It’s the first time these topics are offered at advanced education. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve experienced. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve cried tears of joy during these journeys.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the team of the Uto ni Yalo, the Pacific vessel that sailed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, from Fiji to here, it’s the same movement,” he explains. “We’re taking back the ocean collectively.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure visited Nice, France to share a “Kanak vision of the ocean” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

Before state and international delegates, he argued for shared maritime governance based on local practices and local engagement.

“It’s essential to include these communities – especially fishing communities.”

Current Development

Now, when mariners from various island nations – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they examine vessels together, adjust the structure and eventually voyage together.

“It’s not about duplicating the ancient designs, we make them evolve.”

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, educating sailors and advocating environmental policy are interrelated.

“It’s all about how we involve people: who has the right to move across the sea, and who determines what occurs there? Traditional vessels function as a means to start that conversation.”