Exhibitions
Events
On display
Whetū Mārama: Bright Star
Film
Past event
Philip Carter Family Auditorium
Free
On the opening weekend of Te Rā: The Māori Sail join us for a series of special events. Discover the story of Sir Hek Busby, the celebrated waka builder and expert star-navigator who revitalised Māori voyaging practices.
Whetū Mārama: Bright Star explores Sir Hekenukumai Ngaiwi Puhipi, Hek Busby, his significance to Te Ao Māori, the Māori world, in rekindling their wayfinding DNA and for all New Zealanders in reclaiming our place as traditional star voyages on the world map.
The ultimate underlying focus of Whetū Mārama: Bright Star is the story of a culture that understands an inner compass. Being at sea, trying to find your way across a vast ocean without modern technology - makes you completely dependent on the natural world to find your way. Find your way at sea - find who you are - find your way in life. Hec talks of always knowing where he is - a sense of connection to his ancestors "lying just below the surface". His voyaging has reconnected his crews with their inbuilt GPS systems and they in turn are teaching and inspiring the next generation, building a bridge back into our past to take us forward into the future.
2021, 94 mins. Watch the trailer here.