Te Kaha and his sister Te Po were tasked with finding the Chatham Islands, also known by their Māori name Wharekuri, using traditional celestial navigation techniques passed down from their ancestors.
Experienced navigator Piripi Smith was onboard to lend a helping hand if things went awry.
Getting their bearings on the horizon for sunrise was important for the navigators, as well as knowing where the sun was setting in the evening.
Navigating traditionally means monitoring the entire environment day and night, the seen and the unseen, Smith said.
As navigators the siblings got hardly any sleep, taking naps when they could as they often had to be awake and tuning into the tohu or signs.
Smith, who flew into Rēkohu on Monday, said a large crowd were waiting at Waitangi on the islands for the waka.
Smith said it was a great learning experience for the pair.
"Kaua e hoki i te waewae tūtuki, ā āpā anõ hei te ūpoko pakaru.
"Do not turn back because of minor obstacles but press ahead to the desired goal."
The siblings are now set to guide the boat back to Napier using the same methods.
