New Zealand is a long way from Utah, but artist Eruera Bryers Napia has found similarities between his Maori ancestors and the state's Native people.

Napia was born in New Zealand but moved to Hawaii, then to Utah, at a young age. Along the way, he developed an affinity for Native Americans that comes through in his artwork.

Napia, a teacher at Salt Lake City's Indian Walk-in Center, says Maoris and U.S. Natives have suffered language and cultural loss. He says his parents were reluctant to teach him the Maori language.

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Maori artist blends cultures (The Salt Lake Tribune 11/29)