Lyttelton born Asher Newbery’s iwi is Tuhoe and he is currently completing a Bachelor of Maori Visual Arts at Massey University.His work investigates the relationships between native and exotic birdlife in New Zealand.His interest is in the period prior to human contact, as well as Maori folklore.He has said of his work: ‘Birds in Maori folklore are used as metaphors for people and human traits.Maori visual arts have also been influenced deeply by such imagery and this is reflected in some way, shape or form in most aspects of Maori art.’