Arriving in New Zealand a year ago, Saeid Baroutian soon joined a te reo course so he could learn how to speak Maori.
The Iranian-born Scion researcher says he was offered a job at Scion and jumped at the chance to come to Aotearoa.
"I've wanted to migrate to New Zealand many years ago. When I got this job offer it was the perfect opportunity for us to come here. I'd heard it was such a beautiful country with lovely friendly people and it is.''
That was last year. This year he decided to jump on board the Te Wananga O Aotearoa te reo course _ taking classes for two hours once a week.
"I wanted to learn as soon as I moved here because when you move to another country you must learn the language. It's the respectful thing to do when you make another country your home. This is our home now.''
He's learning fast too.
"I watch the Maori channel all the time so I can listen and learn more. I can understand more now. I can pronounce street names and places properly now that are in Maori.''