(1932–2019)

Sir ‘Hek’ Busby (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu) was a bridge builder, world-renowned carver, traditional waka builder and sailing navigator, recognised for his role in the revival of traditional Polynesian celestial navigation techniques.

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Early inspiration

Busby was born in the small Northland town of Pukepoto, near Kāitaia. He is a direct ancestor of Te Puhipi, a signatory of the Treaty of Waitangi, and it was on trips to the Treaty Grounds that the young Hekenukumai would spend hours alone admiring the carvings of the 35-metre waka Ngātokimatawhaorua.

Although waka were a lifelong interest, it wasn’t until after he’d established a successful bridge-building business with his brothers that he sailed seriously for the first time, his interest sparked in 1985 when he witnessed a team of paddlers retracing ancient migration routes arrive in Aotearoa from Hawaii on a double-hulled voyaging canoe. The Hawaiian team were welcomed by Sir James Henare, whose words of encouragement to Hek to plan a return journey had a profound impact.

Te Aurere

Busby’s first double-hulled ocean-going waka (waka hourua) was Te Aurere, made using traditional methods such as rope lashings instead of nails. It made its maiden voyage in 1992 to Rarotonga and back using celestial navigation. He carved and built at least another 30 waka over the decades, including another waka hourua, Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti, named in honour of his beloved second wife.

Te Aurere has sailed over 30,000 nautical miles in the Pacific. In 2012 both waka hourua completed a 5000-nautical-mile, four-month, voyage from Aotearoa to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), arriving back in Doubtless Bay in May 2013.

Legacy

For over forty years until his passing, the man who affectionally became known as ‘Sir Hec’ was deeply involved in and at the forefront of reviving the practise of celestial navigation, waka building and developing waka culture. Busby and his wife were both active in organising Waitangi Day celebrations. He carved and built six marae in Northland and held leadership positions on many Māori organisations, even becoming kaitiaki to Ngātokimatawhaorua, the waka he first admired so much as a child. The connections he built throughout the Pacific are deep and long standing. The value of his ability to pass on skills in carving, waka-building, sailing and navigation to succeeding generations cannot be overstated.

The waka hourua Aotearoa One is usually berthed in the marina alongside the Museum.