A young Wanganui man is one of 24 who have just finished three months sailing the Pacific in traditional double-hulled canoes.
Toiora Hawira, 20, was one of 12 men aboard Te Aurere, the sailing vessel built by Northland man Hek Busby in his workshop at Doubtless Bay.
The crew were to speak only te reo Maori on the journey, and use traditional navigation methods.
The two waka (canoes) left Auckland on August 17, bound for Rapanui (Easter Island). Toiora's father, Turama Hawira, has been able to talk to his son occasionally via satellite phone.
He said everybody missed the young man, but they were not worried about his safety.