The Ngati Kahungunu mita (dialect) is now a thing of the past, says linguist Lee Smith.
Smith is from Ngati Kahungunu and has dedicated 30 years to studying Maori language in all its forms, including dialects from around the country.
"The Kahungunu dialect has disappeared; dialect is very oral, not written, it's all about the sounds," explains Smith.
An iwi's mita is what makes the tribe special and unique. It is an instant identifier "when you hear their mita, you know straight away where they're from".
Smith is a linguist who has contributed to Maori language revitalisation across many sectors, from broadcasting to education and beyond.
He is passionate about languages and is fluent in four - French, Russian, English and Maori.