Old boy tops in te reo nationally

Parekura Pewhairangi says a Te Aute teacher inspired him to excellence in te reo Maori. Photo / Supplied

As Parekura Pewhairangi works hard at his Maori studies at university, he is buoyed by the spirit of a former teacher.

Mr Pewhairangi, the 2014 head boy of Te Aute College, was awarded level 3 NCEA with an Excellence endorsement.

Now at Massey University in Auckland, he has passed his year one te reo Maori papers with flying colours.

But the icing on the cake was receiving a letter from NZQA this year saying his result for scholarship te reo Rangatira, the Maori equivalent of high English, was the highest in the country.

He said his passion for the Maori language was fuelled by his former language teacher, Tiwha Blake.

"She constantly spoke to me in Maori and her enthusiasm was contagious."

Mrs Blake, or Whaea Tiwha as the boys called her, died from an aortic aneurism when Mr Pewhairangi was a Year 11 student.

He said her passion for the language had lived on in him.

Te Aute College principal Shane Hiha said he was proud of Mr Pewhairangi's achievements: "Parekura is one of many Maori scholars that Te Aute College has produced.

"And like them, we expect that he will go on to become one of the many Maori leaders that the college can lay claim to.

"We're thrilled that Parekura's hard work has paid off for him.

" He is a well-rounded and well-respected young man and we wish him all the best."