A grandmother's insistence to teach her grandson te reo has paid off.
Hikurangi-raised Darryl Tepania started learning Maori five years ago - and now his flair for the language has landed him a role as a television presenter.
At just 16 years old, he is one of Maori TV's youngest presenters and
the youngest ever to front Tu Wera, a programme showcasing the latest in youth pop culture, music, art and film.
While the show is presented in Maori, the stories are in English.
For each episode Darryl receives a script in English, which he translates into Maori.
Although "pretty much" fluent in Maori, he admits it can be tough.
"You get a script with a word reflecting the latest thing in youth culture, but the word doesn't exist in Maori."
Darryl is a newcomer to the small screen, but his experience at Tu Wera has left him wanting more.
"It was awesome and super-exciting to present, especially in te reo. I was so nervous though," Darryl says.
A year-12 student at Pompallier College, he hopes to attend a performing arts school after completing year 13.
He entered the school's honours roll last year by achieving excellence in every assessment of NCEA Level One Maori, and is now sitting Level Two.
His grandmother's insistence that he acknowledge his heritage sparked his love of the language.
"For some reason she decided I had to learn it, and so she taught me. She's pretty stoked now."
Darryl also leads the school's kapa haka team, plays rugby for the school first XV and Tikipunga Seniors, and he is the student representative on the school board of trustees. His school roles have taught him about leadership - lessons he can now share with the whole country. "Tu Wera is really cool because it is all about inspiring youth. I love it," he says.
The second series of Tu Wera premieres on Maori TV at 8pm on July 13.
