The kaupapa of the Tairawhiti Waka Voyaging Trust is to educate as many students and visitors about the history of polynesian navigation. Chairman of the trust is Waka builder and navigator Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp who was part of the crew that sailed from Aotearoa to Rarotonga onboard Te Aurere in 1992. Today, as part of the trusts mission to practice sustainability, the waka runs on both diesel and coconut oil. Te Ahi Kaa is back in Gisborne onboard the waka hourua, Tairawhiti.