Palu

Sir Hector Busby

KNZM MBE
Tā Heke-nuku-mai-nga-iwi Puhipi
Busby in February 2019
Born(1932-08-01)August 1, 1932
Pukepoto
DiedMay 11, 2019(2019-05-11) (aged 86)
Other namesHec or Hek

Sir Hector Busby KNZM MBE (1 August 1932 – 11 May 2019), also known as Heke-nuku-mai-nga-iwi Puhipi and Hec Busby,[1] was a New Zealand Māori navigator and traditional waka builder. He was recognised as a leading figure in the revival of traditional Polynesian navigation and ocean voyaging using wayfinding techniques.[2][3]

He built 26 traditional waka,[4] including the double-hulled Te Aurere which has sailed over 30,000 nautical miles in the Pacific including Hawaii, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Norfolk Island.[5] In December 2012, Te Aurere and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti (another waka built by Busby) reached Rapa Nui after a 5000-nautical-mile, four-month voyage from New Zealand.[6] The two waka then made the return journey to New Zealand, landing at Aurere Beach in Doubtless Bay in May 2013.[7]

Honours

Busby received the New Zealand Commemoration Medal in 1990. In the 1994 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the Māori people.[8] In the 2014 New Year Honours, Busby was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Māori.[9] He was promoted to Knight Companion, for services to Māori, in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours.[10]

Personal life

Busby was of mixed Pākehā and Māori heritage. He was from the Māori tribes of Te Rarawa and Ngāti Kahu.

Busby died on 11 May 2019.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Waka builder Hekenukumai 'Hec' Busby made a Sir". Auckland Now. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "Profile: Hekenukumai (Hector) Busby". Toi Māori Aotearoa. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Waka Tapu Canoes". NZMACI & Taitokerau Tarai Waka. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "Hector Busby:waka builder". Radio New Zealand interview. 6 February 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "Hekenukumai Busby". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. National Library of New Zealand. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  6. ↑ "Waka end four-month voyage on Easter Island coast". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  7. ↑ "Waka welcomed home from epic journey". www.stuff.co.nz. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "No. 53697". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 11 June 1994. p. 34.
  9. ↑ "New Year honours list 2014". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  10. ↑ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2018". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  11. ↑ "Master canoe builder Sir Hekenukumai 'Hec' Busby dies aged 86". 1NewsNow. TVNZ. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.


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