Wanganui parents Turama and Raukura Hawira were in Northland on Saturday to welcome their son Toiora home from an epic ocean journey on board a traditional Maori sailing waka.
Toiora left Auckland on August 17 last year, one of 10 men on board the double-hulled waka hourua Te Aurere. It was bound for Rapanui (Easter Island), navigating by the stars, moon, sun, ocean currents, birds and marine life rather than by modern instruments.
Mr Hawira said their son set off on his 20th birthday, returned home briefly in February and was back on board Te Aurere for the return journey, when the crews of the two waka in the expedition were joined by sailors from Tahiti, Rarotonga and Rapanui.
He was away nine months in all, and sailed 10,000 miles.
On Saturday there was a crowd of about 200 waiting in Doubtless Bay to welcome the sailors. Toiora's mother was invited to join the kuia (senior women) in the karanga (welcome call).
Toiora looked well, but "very sea-worn", his father said.
The young man wasn't the only Wanganui person on board for the Rarotonga-New Zealand part of the return trip. Awhina Twomey, who also sailed the Pacific on board Te Matau a Maui, was on the other vessel in the expedition, Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti.
In the brief time Toiora could spend with his parents he told them some of the highlights of the journey, including the huge welcome at Rapanui. The waka experienced three major storms on its return from Rapanui - with two in the final leg from Rarotonga.
But Mr and Mrs Hawira weren't worried about their son.
"Even though he had some very scary experiences, we knew he would be all right right through it," his father said.
After the crews' reception the crowd went to the residence of Hekenukumai Busby, at Taipa. Mr Busby built Te Aurere and helped rekindle the art of traditional Maori navigation. A new wananga (school) was opened, Te Wananga-a-Kupe Mai Tawhiti, with the aim of teaching waka building and navigation.
Toiora is still at Taipa, where the crew are dismantling Te Aurere, and will possibly retire it.
Mr Hawira said his son may well join the new wananga.
"Sea voyaging by traditional means is now pretty much ingrained in his own personal goals."