On the 19th of July 2025, the Hocken Collections and Gallery was honoured to welcome Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr CNZM (Tainui) for a Waka Kōrero as part of Ruruku: an exhibition by Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki Manatōpū.

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Mr Barclay-Kerr is the captain and kaitiaki of the oceangoing waka, Haunui, Hinemoana and Aotearoa One. He has been sailing around the Pacific for more than thirty-five years. He paddles waka, sails waka and teaches waka. 

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Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr's master thesis investigated how the waka is a symbol of mana in the 21st century. He lectured at Waikato University for over 19 years. More recently he has specialised in education and leadership programmes that use waka as a platform for learning and development. In 2015 he co-authored the book Wayfinding Leadership: Ground-breaking Wisdom for Developing Leaders. In 2020 he was awarded Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition for his services to Māori and heritage. For more info visit: Te Toki

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