Matu Pene loves teaching - and it shows.
The Maungatapu School teacher was nominated twice for the Bay of Plenty Times Awesome Teachers series by parents of his pupils.
"I love playing the guitar, I love art, I love music, I love maths, I love sports, I'm a writer as well. I love writing."
Mr Pene, known as Matua Matu to his class, bubbles over with energy and this is reflected in his students who are all enthusiastic and seem to know their teacher well.
The Bay of Plenty Times observed Mr Pene during an art class, where he was teaching his pupils about perspective. Their task was to sketch a block of buildings with footpaths, skyscrapers and alleyways included. He sat down with his Year 5s and Year 6s separately and showed examples of pupils' work to the rest of the group to demonstrate where the children were doing well and also the common issues they were facing.
"Now that looks great. Just imagine the Avengers sitting in the background here.
"The right sides of the buildings should all line up with the right vanishing point.
"You've got to work out what the different buildings are. That could be a KFC.
"This could be a big Westpac.
"You guys are going to impress a lot of people with these. I should put them in an art competition or put them online."
The children then stood and sang, with some talented singers encouraged to take solo parts.
Mr Pene said he loved promoting Maori. About two-thirds of his class were Maori and about three-quarters did kapa haka.
He also helps run the school radio station, Crest, and is involved with school sports teams.
Mr Pene had been a teacher at Otumoetai Intermediate for more than 10. He moved to primary teaching when his sons started school so he could be with them for their first six years of education.
"I've got four kids, one has been through my class and one is in it now.
"The best thing for me is I get to teach my boys.
"Everyone asks what is it like, but I love it. I've got to learn to take my teacher hat off when I'm at home."
He decided to become a teacher after spending time with his nieces and nephews.
"After that I had my own children and I just loved it."
Although parents were pushing for their children to be in his class, the Amazing Teachers nomination came as a surprise to Mr Pene.
"I'm blessed, I don't know why. It's humbling."