Stayz Raukawa made salsa dancing a big deal in Wanganui in the early 2000s, then took it to Picton and further afield. He's bringing it back with the Star Dance Academy national camp in the city from July 6 to 12.
Mr Raukawa was a YMCA youth co-ordinator when he created and developed the YMCA dance programme in Wanganui. When he left in 2007, his students Marie Louise and Petera Hudson carried on the dance tradition, with their Salsa on the Awa.
Mr Raukawa still has family in Wanganui. He said he has returned every year, to take his two boys to Kowhai Park "the one and only, the best free playground in the world".
He now lives in Picton with his wife Larissa and two boys.
Since leaving Wanganui, he's started and grown his Star Dance Academy business into a national and international dance school franchise. This year, he's bringing its Star National Camp to his home city during the first week of the school holidays. Doing so has been a dream since the day he left, he said.
Mr Raukawa now travels the world to judge, teach and perform, but he said doing so at home in Wanganui would definitely be a highlight.
"Wanganui is my home, and as I look back my proudest achievement as a dance teacher is seeing so many of my former students, from the YMCA dance days, to my current Star Dance students, go on to tour the world as professional dancers and gain tertiary qualifications and degrees in dance."
One of those former students is Wanganui dancer Pauline Hiroti, who won the title of New Zealand Professional Salsa National Champion in 2006, dancing with Mr Raukawa.
She was only 17 then, and went on to teach dance for his Star Dance Academy in Auckland. She is to team up with Mr Raukawa again during the Star National Camp week.
"Its going to be an amazing week," Mr Raukawa said.
There will be free dance workshops for children at Majestic Square on most days, followed by lunchtime dance shows.
If it's raining the workshops will be held in the hall at nearby St Mary's Church. Also happening in that week will be the Star Community Disco on July 11 and the Star Family Show on July 12.
Wanganui children who want to be a part of the week need to either email Mr Raukawa at stardanceacademy@gmail.com or go to the academy's website, www.stardanceacademy.co.nz, to find out how.