The revered traditional Polynesian navigator and master waka carver sadly passed over the weekend. Sir Hekenukumai Busby is the subject of this year’s Loading Doc, He Hekenga Tūhura, by director Allan George, producer Justin Scott and associate producer Moehau Hodges-Tai.
He Hekenga Tūhura looks back on Sir Hek’s legacy and considers who will carry the mantle into the future. Sir Hekenukumai Puhipi (Busby) was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in February for his role in reviving Māori traditions of waka hourua (double-hulled voyaging canoes) and celestial navigation.
We are privileged to have worked with Sir Hek. He leaves an eternal legacy in Aotearoa that we at Loading Docs will both respect and cherish.
Kua hinga te kauri i roto i te wao nui a Tāne. E Tā Hector Busby, moe mai rā. Hoki atu ki Hawaiki Nui, Hawaiki roa, Hawaiki Pāmamao.