Top honour for Northland's master navigator Hekenukumai Busby

Hekenukumai Busby and whanau at Te Manuka Tutahi Marae in Whakatane after receiving his honorary doctorate from Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi. Photo/Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi

Master waka builder and navigator Hekenukumai Busby has received the highest academic accolade possible from one of New Zealand's largest Maori tertiary training institutes.

Mr Busby, who lives at Aurere in Doubtless Bay, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy in Maori Development by Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi.

The doctorate was awarded during the Whakatane-based education provider's graduation ceremony on Friday in recognition of a lifetime's outstanding academic achievement and endeavour.

According to the citation, Mr Busby is internationally recognised as a leader in the revival of ancient Polynesian voyaging using the movement of the elements, stars, moon and birds as navigational tools. He has built more than 30 vessels and continues to make a significant contribution to waka construction, voyaging and navigation throughout the Pacific.

His waka hourua (double-hulled voyaging canoes) have sailed the three sides of the Polynesian triangle, with the voyage from Rapanui (Easter Island) to New Zealand completed in late 2013.

Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis said he couldn't think of a more deserving person.

"His knowledge is incredible.

"He almost single-handedly revived traditional voyaging in New Zealand, and his contacts around Polynesia are phenomenal.

"His ability to navigate by the stars, swells, currents and birdlife - all the signs our ancestors used to use - has to be seen to be believed," Mr Davis said.

More than 200 Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi students received degrees and certificates in the formal graduation ceremony at Te Manuka Tutahi Marae in Whakatane with another 1100 around the rest of the country.

About 600 iwi representatives, staff, students, whanau, supporters, academics, national and local government officials attended the Whakatane celebrations, with the highlight a procession of graduates and academic staff along the Strand in Whakatane while supporters lined the streets to cheer and perform haka.

Mr Busby, also known as Hekenukumai Puhipi, is of Te Rarawa, Ngati Kuri and Ngati Kahu descent.

Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi was founded by Ngati Awa in 1991.