Waka builder Hekenukumai Puhipi Busby knighted

Hekenukumaingaiwi Puhipi Busby, or 'Hek' who grew up milking cows by hand on his family's farm at Pukepoto in the north, and trained as a bridge builder, is being knighted for his role in revitalising Maori waka building, and celestial navigation. His interest in waka was sparked when a team of paddlers from Hawaii arrived in Aotearoa in 1985 on a Hokule'a, a double-hulled voyaging canoe, which was retracing ancient migration routes. At Waitangi the Hawaiian group were welcomed by Sir James Henare. Sir James words had a profround impact on Hek. The name Busby comes from James Busby who helped draft the Treaty of Waitangi. Hek's ancestor Teripi Temarua was chief of Te Rarawa. He was baptised by James Busby who became his godfather - and gave the family his name, Busby.