Hector Busby, Date of Birth, Date of Death

Hector Busby

Māori navigator and ship builder

Date of Birth: 01-Aug-1932

Date of Death: 11-May-2019

Profession: engineer, navigator

Nationality: New Zealand

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Sir Hector Busby (1 August 1932 – 11 May 2019), also known as Heke-nuku-mai-nga-iwi Puhipi and Hec Busby, was a Maori navigator and traditional waka builder in New Zealand.
He was recognized as a leading figure in the revival of traditional Polynesian navigation and ocean voyaging using wayfinding techniques.He built 26 traditional waka, including the double-hulled Te Aurere which has sailed over 30,000 nautical miles in the Pacific including Hawaii, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Norfolk Island.
In December 2012, Te Aurere and Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti (another waka built by Busby) reached Rapa Nui after a 5000-nautical-mile, four-month voyage from New Zealand.
The two waka then made the return journey to New Zealand, landing at Aurere Beach in Doubtless Bay in May 2013.Busby was of mixed Pakeha and Maori heritage.
He was from the Maori tribes of Te Rarawa and Ngati Kahu.