March 12, 2013
Progress made towards waka wānanga
Master navigator Hekenukumai Busby has won resource consent to build a wānanga for waka building and traditional navigation on his far north property.
The 80-year old is still trying to get a couple more sponsors, but says the project is on track for this year.
The Māori Land Court overruled objections from some Ngāti Tara members. Mr Busby says turning some of the land he bought in 1966 into a Māori reservation, as it has now been approved by the trust to administer the block.
Mr Busby says that will protect his vision.
“When I’m gone maybe my family may want to disrupt something. At least it’s there for the purpose and it’s underneath a trust that we’ve already formed. Mē kaitiaki i te kaupapa,” he says.
Hekenukumai Busby says the wānanga, which is a joint venture with the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, will be open to students from across the Pacific.
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