In 1951, as a lecturer in art at an Auckland, New Zealand Teacher Training College, I won a two-year scholarship from the Association of New Zealand Art Societies to study pottery with Bernard Leach at St. Ives, Cornwall and with Michael Cardew at Abuja Potter Training Centre, Northern Nigeria. My wife and I spent just over eight months there in 1958/59.

I remembered discussions we were having with Michael when we were in Abuja about being a potter, the energy and determination involved, the type of pots we should make and how to make a living. Michael summed up his feelings about pottery and being a potter by slapping his knee and saying emphatically, 'I would hate to be a lawyer, I would hate to be a doctor, I would hate to be a banker! All I want to be is a potter'.

What more could you say to that?

And that's why we honour a man who indeed became a potter, one of the highest order. Besides which he was very human, much loved and respected for his intellect, wit, devotion and sense of humour, which we found ever present. I was his first overseas student, though he never made me feel one. The study with him at Abuja and the benefits to me have been without measure. Diane my wife joins me in acknowledging the pleasure of his friendship and the gratitude we feel towards him. It gives me pleasure to share with you a small insight into the Michael we knew and very much respected.

Cardew picked us up from the railhead at Minna at the beginning of October 1959 arriving at 2.00 a.m. in pitch darkness and took us to Abuja and home. Immediately as I stepped out of his car, I had ants biting me around the middle, so that was a wonderful introduction to Abuja! In the morning we were taken down to see our house. It was a Government, non- catering rest house, which we had all the time that we were there. We were charged twenty-one shillings a week, which Michael thought was very dear, but we had wood and water delivered, and sanitary services, all brought by the Sarakan Barracki (the keeper of the barracks).

On that same day that we arrived in Abuja we were taken down to the pottery by Michael and there was much excitement, Michael tooting madly, everybody gathering around and we were introduced. From then on I was Mr Peeta and Diane was Warrgida, mistress of the house. We did a tour of the pottery; we hadn't expected such a beautiful site, all these wonderful buildings, it was like a fairy tale really, when you think about it.