Now, the Japanese immigrant says: ''Ye cannae beat it''.
''There is nothing like this in Japan. I lived there for 30 years and I never heard or saw any Highland dance.
Mrs Sellens lives in the small rural Southland township of Athol, and said she only discovered Highland dancing by chance.
''We live in Athol. There's nothing there - just farmland.
''I was looking for activities for my children to do, and my neighbour suggested Highland dance.
''I said, 'Highland dance? What is that'?
''She said it was meant to be good for your fitness.''
Five years later, the cultural art form from the other side of the world has become an obsession with her and her daughter Hana (11), and they spend hours rehearsing and travelling about the country to compete.
Hana has won several regional competitions.
''I love Highland dancing. It's fun competing at competitions.
''You make lots of new friends and you get to travel to lots of different places.''
Hana was among more than 200 pipers and dancers from around New Zealand who competed in the Otago Centre's 104th annual Championship Solo Piping and Highland and National Dancing Competitions at the University of Otago College of Education at the weekend.
