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After 15 weeks at sea, the ocean-voyaging canoes
Te Aurere and Ngahiraka have arrived in Rapanui.
But the crews won't go ashore
until the arrival of their leader, Hekenukumai Busby
for a formal ceremony of welcome.
The canoes left Auckland on August 17.
Navigator Jack Thatcher says the crew are happy
they've completed the historic voyage,
even though there's a five-day wait before they can go ashore.
Our crew is extremely excited,
and from our position,
we can see 15 moai along the island.
It's a massive and beautiful scene.
We're in a good position.
At this stage we're waiting for our leader to land on the island
and complete our trip.
Ill health prevented Busby sailing with the crew.
He's expected to arrive in Rapanui on December 5th.
We'll bring you more coverage from Rapanui next week.