Just weeks before his passing, Sir Hector Busby discusses a legacy of celestial navigation and waka-carving, considering who will carry the knowledge after he’s gone.
Revered Polynesian navigator Sir Hector Busby passed away earlier this year. During his final days, "Sir Hec" reflects on falling in love with ngā āhuatanga whakatere waka (Māori seafaring tradition), sailing to Rarotonga using only the stars and attempting to preserve and revive a knowledge that is in danger of being forgotten. This would be Sir Hekenukumai Pūhipi’s final interview and an enlightening conversation in full te reo Māori of an extraordinary life.
Sir Hekenukumai Busby died on 11 May. Photo: Loading Docs
Documentary Details
Director: Allan George
Allan George (Ngati Kahungunu) is an Auckland-based writer/director/filmmaker. He is a five-time Tropfest New Zealand finalist, has won the Academy Award–accredited LA Shorts Fest Best Screenplay award, and has been a finalist in some of the world's most prestigious screenwriting competitions, including Screenscraft, Hollywood Screenplay Contest, Canada International Film Festival, HollyShorts, and more. He has also had his work screen at festivals around the world, including the ImagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival and the Austin Film Festival.
Producer: Justin Scott
Justin Scott (Ngāpuhi) currently works as a director and digital-content producer for Attitude Pictures. With a varied background in production and directing, he has worked on web series, commercials, and directed children's television show Sticky TV. He has a critical eye for detail and a passion for telling stories of people from all walks of life.
Associate Producer: Moehau Hodges-Tai
Moehau Hodges-Tai has iwi affiliations with Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and Ngāti Wai. His work experience includes working for South Pacific Pictures and Māori TV. He has freelanded in big-budget film productions, advertisements, music-video clips, and television shows, working for a range of production companies. Moehau is passionate about increasing visibility of te ao Māori and normalising Māori content in the media. He has an overall passion about politics—especially those that impact directly on Māori.