The author of a Maori oratory publication hopes a photo he gave to a London museum will inspire rangatahi in his tribe to succeed outside of their hometown.
The British Museum contacted Dr Poia Rewi, who wrote the book, Whaikorero, for his help in collecting items that depict the Maori world.
One photo he gave to the museum is of the late Ngati Manawa iwi leader, Bill Bird with students and teachers from Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tawhiuau set at a marae in Murupara, south-east of Rotorua.
It illustrates cultural practices such as whaikorero and waiata.
Dr Poia Rewi, who's of Ngati Manawa descent, says he thought the photo was fitting because the late Bill Bird was a very eloquent orator.
He says another reason was because Mr Bird invested his life in educating Ngati Manawa, and rangatahi who reside in Murupara.
Dr Rewi hopes the the image illustrates potential, saying that if a photo from a small community can make it around the world, then perhaps one of these students from kura kaupapa can achieve that as well.
He says perhaps one of them could go beyond Murupara and experience the world, and the world can experience them.
Dr Rewi says he also selected the photo for the British Museum to pay his respect to the Murupara community - where he was educated as a child.
