This biography of Heke-nuku-mai-nga-iwi Busby brings together the varied life experiences that made Hec Busby the master waka builder, waka expert, celestial navigator and highly regarded Te Rarawa elder that he was. Busby was a waka taua builder and was responsible for the completion of more than a dozen of these waka for iwi around the country. He was acknowledged as the pre-eminent holder of knowledge relating to waka culture, and he was frequently consulted for his expert opinion.