Waka goes diesel after new mishap

By ANGELA GREGORY

Far North waka captain Hec Busby is bowing to the inevitable and will fit a diesel engine into his prized "traditional" ocean-going craft.

He admits that he can no longer rely on the double-hulled canoe Te Aurere and oldtime sailing techniques to reach destinations on time.

He was recently forced to beach the 20m vessel on a remote Pacific island and catch a plane to get to the South Pacific Arts Festival in Noumea before it finished.

Eight years earlier, Te Aurere had to be partly towed to the same festival on its maiden voyage.

Mr Busby touted the historic trip as proof that Maori were able to sail between New Zealand and other islands, and he still firmly believes that his ancestors' seafaring skills allowed them to make return journeys around the Pacific.

But he realises that he will finally have to install a diesel motor on Te Aurere, which he has sailed around the North Island three times and uses to teach traditional Maori sailing techniques and stellar navigation.

The change of heart came after "wrong winds" forced him to pull into the Isle of Pines, 50km south of Noumea, and fly the remaining distance.

The philosophical skipper said he thought the waka had "wanted" to go to the Isle of Pines.

"It was the first time a canoe has landed there for 800 years ... we were treated like royalty."

He said he could no longer risk the waka missing deadlines - or worse, the crew running out of supplies.

Though the boat already carried a 30-horsepower motor, a diesel engine would allow it to motor for greater distances.