At one time he was a Taranaki farmer but Rewi Alley is best known for the many years he lived in China.
The New Zealand born writer, educator, political activist, revolutionary, social reformer, potter, and member of the Communist Party of China is the subject of an exhibition at Heritage House in Whanganui this week.
Rewi Alley wrote his last book Rewi Alley an Autobiography before he died aged 90 in 1987.
Alley's communist party membership made him a controversial figure in his home country for a time and he was chastised by former New Zealand prime minister Robert Muldoon.
He was however, made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for community service in the 1985 New Year Honours when David Lange was prime minister.