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This past October on the island of Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the lagoon – a small act that marked a highly meaningful moment.

It was the first launch of a heritage boat on Lifou in generations, an occasion that united the island’s three chiefly clans in a rare show of unity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has spearheaded a project that works to resurrect traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been built in an initiative aimed at reconnecting Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also help the “beginning of dialogue” around maritime entitlements and environmental policies.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for maritime regulations developed alongside and by local tribes that recognise their connection to the ocean.

“Previous generations always crossed the sea. We forgot that knowledge for a period,” Tikoure states. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural significance in New Caledonia. They once stood for mobility, trade and family cooperations across islands, but those traditions diminished under foreign occupation and outside cultural pressures.

Heritage Restoration

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was looking at how to bring back heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure worked with the government and after two years the vessel restoration program – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he notes.

Project Achievements

The Kenu Waan project aimed to restore heritage voyaging practices, mentor apprentice constructors and use boat-building to strengthen traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

So far, the group has produced an exhibition, published a book and supported the building or renovation of nearly three dozen boats – from Goro to the northeastern coast.

Natural Resources

Unlike many other oceanic nations where tree loss has limited timber supplies, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often work with modern composites. In our location, we can still carve solid logs,” he states. “It makes a crucial distinction.”

The canoes constructed under the initiative merge oceanic vessel shapes with Melanesian rigging.

Academic Integration

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been teaching navigation and traditional construction history at the educational institution.

“This marks the initial occasion this knowledge are offered at advanced education. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve cried tears of joy during these journeys.”

Pacific Partnerships

Tikoure sailed with the crew of the traditional boat, the heritage craft that sailed to Tonga for the regional gathering in 2024.

“Throughout the region, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he says. “We’re taking back the maritime heritage as a community.”

Political Engagement

During the summer, Tikoure visited the French city to present a “Traditional understanding of the marine environment” when he met with Macron and government representatives.

Before state and international delegates, he advocated for cooperative sea policies based on Indigenous traditions and participation.

“It’s essential to include local populations – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Currently, when navigators from various island nations – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – visit Lifou, they analyze boats together, refine the construction and eventually navigate in unison.

“We don’t just copy the ancient designs, we enable their progression.”

Comprehensive Vision

According to Tikoure, instructing mariners and advocating environmental policy are linked.

“It’s all about public engagement: who has the right to move across the sea, and what authority governs what happens in these waters? Traditional vessels function as a means to initiate that discussion.”