The descendants of the first South Island iwi to encounter Captain Cook's Endeavour shed tears as they paddled out to meet the ship's replica at Meretoto/Ship Cove.
Yesterday marked 250 years since Cook's arrival in the Marlborough Sounds.
The great Polynesian navigator Tupaia was also on board with Cook, and Kiley Nepia of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Trust says his legacy was felt keenly.
.Tracy Neal was there.
