December 07, 2012
Navigator proud to close Polynesian triangle
The powhiri is over but the celebration continues as the Waka Tapu voyagers prepare to return from Rapanui – Easter Island.
Te Aurere and Ngahiraka mai Tawhiti were welcomed onto shore yesterday, after waiting in the lea of the most easterly Polynesian island for master waka builder Hekenukumai Busby to arrive and bring them in.
The 80-year old says he’s proud of the crews’ achievement in closing the last leg of the Polynesian triangle, recreating the voyages of the ancestors.
"I didn’t think I would see this day. I'm really proud of the boys and the waka. They had a few rough times out there and Ngahiraka is good but Te Aurere is getting quite old but she made it and we've got a little bit to do to her and a couple of days work, she will be ready for the voyage back again," Mr Busby says.
The waka will stay over in Tahiti during the cyclone season.
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