Bayley Mihaka has filled some big shoes and he has the plaque to prove it.
The Whanganui City College head boy brought home the regional Pei Te Hurinui Jones Manu Korero trophy for the second year running and says he is upholding a legacy for his friend Eruera (Eru) Heitia-Ponga.
Former head boy Eru was regional Manu Korero winner in 2014 and was a mentor to Bayley when he came to live in Whanganui two years ago.
When Eru died suddenly in November 2014, his community and school deeply mourned the loss of their much-loved young leader and Bayley says he likes to think he has Eru's blessing for the national Manu Korero final in September.
Growing up in the Bay of Islands, Bayley learned about his Nga Puhi heritage from his grandfather, Hone Mihaka, and helped his koro with his tourism business Taiamai Tours.