KEY POINTS:
They're on the other side of the world, speak with English accents and many have probably never been "home" before.
But every Saturday morning a growing group of Maori and Pakeha children, many of whom were born in Britain, meet in London to learn more about their roots through waiata, haka and poi.
And now the tamariki of Te Kohanga Reo o Ranana (London) are to be showcased in an episode on the BBC 2 television series Take a Bow.
The show features diverse primary school-aged children from across Britain performing in front of landmarks from their areas.
Filming for the show, which is expected to air in December, wrapped up recently in front of the whare Hinemihi O Te Ao Tawhito in Guildford, Surrey - a focal point for Ngati Ranana - which was moved to England in 1891 by Governor William Hillier, who bought it for £50.
"Some of the children talk about how Hinemihi came to England and so had they," said Michelle Boswell, chairwoman of Te Kohanga Reo o Ranana.
"Her descent is from New Zealand like all of theirs."
The children, aged 3 to 11, have a 4 1/2-minute slot singing the Maori version of "you put your right hand in, you take your right hand out", the haka and talking about their histories.
"All of these children can stand up and recite their pepeha [tribal saying] whether they are Maori or Pakeha," said Mrs Boswell, who has worked as a primary school teacher in London for four years.
Te Kohanga Reo o Ranana, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, had been a beacon for a number of homesick New Zealanders who want some place to maintain their culture, she said.
The year has been a big one for the kohanga, which regularly has about 28 children coming in for lessons on Saturdays.
It has held its annual fund-raising hangi for people wanting a taste of home, a magazine launch and a black-tie dinner event to be held in London this month.
"People see it as a part of home, for sure," Mrs Boswell said.
"It is focused more on the Maori side of things, although it is not exclusive."
