It all began with Big Norm

ALOHA: Hec Busby enjoying the Hawaiian influence at the celebrating acknowledging his contributions of waka taua and waka wananga.

Hekenukumai (Hec) Busby's extraordinary contribution to the revival of the art of building waka and traditional navigation, now told in his biography (Heke-nuku-mai-nga-iwi Busby: Not Here by Chance), can be traced back to Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Waitangi in 1974.

Mr Busby, seeing an opportunity to revive waka culture in New Zealand, got a crew together to paddle Ngtokimatawhaorua across the bay, conveying Prime Minister Norman Kirk to the Queen's signing of the amended Royal Titles Act. The trip was a huge success, and cemented Mr Busby's place in the rebirth of waka culture, in which he has now been a revered figure for more than 40 years.

That contribution was celebrated over the weekend of Anzac Day at Mr Busby's home at Aurere, Doubtless Bay, where his contributions of waka taua and waka wnanga were acknowledged, the occasion featuring the observance of traditional Hawai'ian customs.

"Because of Hector we were able to see that Hawai'i and Aotearoa are one," said Nainoa Thompson, whose words resonated throughout the remainder of the ceremony. Speeches were made, gifts were exchanged and students from Hawai'i and New Zealand joined together to perform the traditional hula pele, once again reiterating that Hawai'i and Aotearoa are one.

The celebrations were completed with the launch of Mr Busby's biography, written by Jeff Evans and published by HUIA Publishers. The book details the life and achievements of a master waka-builder, celestial navigator and highly regarded Te Rarawa elder. Traditional waka knowledge is shared and photographs are spread throughout, illustrating Mr Busby's journeys and the people and cultures he has drawn together.

"Hec is a taonga, a modern renaissance man," Mr Evans said.

"Life would have been much the poorer if he hadn't followed the road that he did."

His desire to spread traditional and cultural knowledge had been met with open arms, and continued to grow in popularity. Since that day in 1974 he had helped re-energise communities in the North, renew traditional knowledge and provide new opportunities for waka fans young and old.

Heke-nuku-mai-nga-iwi Busby: Not Here By Chance is available at www.huia.co.nz, the Kaitaia Heritage Museum and Archives and from all good booksellers.