Thamaku is a less than half size replica of a design of outrigger canoe commonly seen all across the Pacific islands.
This design of craft was used as a general purpose vessel with the main hull constructed of canvas stretched across a timber frame.
This replica is around 10ft 6 in in length but full size craft can be between 40 and 50 feet in length although larger boats of 100 feet are not unknown, the latter requiring a crew of 40 to paddle them. It was presented to HRH Prince Edward in 1971 as a birthday present from the people of the island of Lakebe in the Lau group of islands of East Fiji. It is on loan to the museum from the Royal Collection.
