Ceroc Whanganui's Pere Herewini-Te Awa now a registered dance teacher

Dance has become a way of life for Pere Herewini-Te Awa.

What started as a dare by his mates has turned into a consuming passion for Whanganui dance teacher Pere Herewini-Te Awa.

Herewini-Te Awa has qualified as a registered Ceroc (modern jive) teacher, something that seemed unthinkable when he turned up to his first dance class in Wellington two years ago.

"I come from a martial arts background and played rugby, volleyball and basketball," Herewini-Te Awa said.

"I ended up in dance because it was a dare from my friends. We went out for dinner and everyone had to pull a dare out of a hat. The one I got was that I had to do a dance class."

Herewini-Te Awa headed along to a Ceroc class wearing a hoodie, hat, baggy jeans and basketball shoes and, despite initially feeling out of place, he was soon hooked.

"It wasn't like any dancing I'd ever seen and everyone looked like they were having fun. They played songs that I knew. I went back the very next night. It changed my perspective on how I saw dance.

"It's a very simple dance style and that appeals to people."

Herewini-Te Awa quickly hit his straps, getting into competitive Ceroc dancing and joining Ceroc Whanganui after returning to his home town.

He is one of six instructors in Liz Frith's Whanganui Ceroc group which has 50-plus dancers. He teaches beginner to intermediate classes and runs workshops.

"I've also done wedding dance choreography, team choreography, secondary school formal dances and I'm now working with IDEA Services.

"People skills are important. It's learning how to explain things to someone who doesn't know about dance and breaking down the barriers and misconceptions about dance, especially for young guys. I was that guy so it's easier for me."

Frith said Herewini-Te Awa had excelled in competitions around New Zealand despite not having a regular dance partner and often only meeting his partner the day before a competition.

"Pere's so relaxed and such a good lead that anyone who dances with him does well," Frith said.

"We're very proud of him - he's learned so much in such a short time. He passed his teaching assessment with flying colours. He's a star."

Herewini-Te Awa has been invited to compete in Melbourne in November and is one of two New Zealanders invited to the World Modern Jive Championships in Blackpool, England, next year.