Hew Mcleod, a Dunedin-based historian, who grew up on a farm at Colyton, is the subject of a documentary screening on TV1 this weekend.
Hew McLeod was born in 1935.
His father was prominent in local politics in Feilding.
Prof McLeod's older brother Ian and his wife Margaret still live in Feilding. A younger brother, Bruce, lives in Taupo.
The documentary, Hew McLeod: A Kiwi Sikh Historian, tells the story of a New Zealander who has spent a lifetime researching the Sikh people of India.
He also researched the Punjabi emigration to New Zealand.
The director and writer of the documentary is a former Manawatu Standard writer, Jasmine Pujji, who describes herself as half Punjabi.
She said although Prof McLeod, an emeritus professor, is an internationally recognised expert on the history and religion of the Sikhs, he is virtually unknown in his own country.
``Anyone interested in Sikhism starts by reading W H McLeod.
``He basically started the whole contemporary study of their history, from a Western academic point of view, and he's still the one everyone's arguing with or agreeing with today,'' said Ms Pujji.
``Living in Punjab, northern India, as a Christian missionary with his wife and child in the 1950s had a really profound effect on him,'' she said.
When he left the church, Prof McLeod went in pursuit of what became a lifelong passion for understanding the colourful, but little known group, the Sikhs.
Ms Pujji, who was born in New Zealand, said she had not realised until recently that Prof McLeod was a New Zealander.
``I couldn't believe how well known he is elsewhere, especially in Sikh circles, but no-one here has ever heard of him despite what he's done for Indian history here in New Zealand.'' Prof McLeod is now in failing health.
He was quoted as saying at the time the documentary was being filmed in May that he was not used to all the attention.
``It's awful. I live a quiet life normally. I think it's a lot of fuss over nothing.'' The documentary, which is being produced by Asia Downunder, is illustrated with archive footage, photographs and the religious art of the Sikhs and includes interviews with family, academics and New Zealand Sikhs.
It screens on TV1 on Sunday at 10.30am.
