Rotorua super talent Turanga Merito has achieved just about everything on his bucket list.
Just one thing to go - getting his restricted licence.
Merito is one of Australasia's most recognised choreographers and performers. He can sing anything, do any dance, is constantly rubbing shoulders with the rich and famousand his calendar is chock-a-block with impressive gigs.
"But put me behind the wheel of a car and I don't know what's going on!" Merito said.
Merito (Ngati Pikiao, Ngati Awa, Te Arawa) is grounding himself back in Rotorua with family for at least three months. It would be unrealistic to promise a longer stay, he said.
Gaining his restricted licence is one of his missions during this time which will be jam-packed.
His latest gig is artistic director for Lakes Performing Arts Company, a Rotorua-based training and corporate entertainment company founded by Rebecca Daniels. It was an amazing opportunity, he said, and perfect timing.
Merito was lured home to New Zealand after an amazing experience touring with American-Australian singing legend Marcia Hines.
"The experience rebuilt my spirit. I saw it as a sign from God," he said.
Prior to the tour, he felt he had hit a creative lull and sacrificed his talents by concentrating solely on teaching.
"I came to the realisation that I had nearly given up on myself. It made me realise I want to go home and reinvest in to my own community, my own people and inject life back into the community.
"I am going to be investing all my experiences and skills back into the future generation and making the dream more attainable by breaking down those challenges I have faced - not only as a Maori but as a New Zealander."
His credits include playing Simba in Disney's The Lion King, opening for Beyonce and a national and world judge for Hip Hop International Australia and World Supremacy Battlegrounds.
Miss Daniels said Rotorua was "extremely lucky to have him back and basically working for our community".
"We now know that he is always going to come back home and build up the talent in Rotorua."
