Sculptor Wi Taepa takes a small ball of clay representing Papatuanuku (the earth), inserts a pencil into it and asks students at Kokohuia School to tell him their thoughts.
One student replies that the pencil represents knowledge, while others say it is Tane Mahuta representing the forest.
"I was very interested to hear that boy's response, I've been visiting a lot of schools and I'm always surprised and delighted to hear what the children come up with," says Mr Taepa.
The artist has been working with Te Kiko Charitable Trust as an inspirational role model for young Maori to inspire them to reach their potential.
Other role models include educationalist Kaa Williams, Ratana church minister Temepara Isaacs, ultramarathon runner Lisa Tamati, rugby league star Ruben Wiki and painter Teresa Reihana, to name a few.
"The idea is for kids to meet these inspirational people and work with them to learn how they achieved their success so that they can see possibilities for their own futures," says Te Kiko coordinator Te Aorangi Harrinton. Mr Harrinton is something of a role model himself, a Ratana church minister and Maori liaison officer with the New Zealand Fire Service, he has written two books about the trust with biographies of role models and all the proceeds from the books go back to the trust.
Mr Taepa is enjoying the contrast of working with young children after having worked with young offenders in the past.
"They are a lot more open, less guarded and they see the world in very interesting ways. I am really enjoying this mahi."
Kokohuia students range from Year 1 to Year 13 and the older children willingly help the little ones to roll their clay into cone shapes for the next exercise.
When Mr Taepa asks the students what they see in the shape, there is a range of suggestions: "A tusk, an ice cream, an icicle, a horn," they say.
When the point of the cone is rolled into a coil, it is immediately recognised as "pikopiko" and "koru".
"The clay is the ideal medium to demonstrate to the children how things can be moulded and reshaped just like people can mould themselves and do different things in their lives. Mr Taepa tells the students that he works as an artist and not to be put off by people who say you cannot make a living as an artist.
"If you are passionate and committed to what you are doing, you will be successful."