It was 2001, and Mr Potiki was working as the head of Maori Studies at Christchurch Polytechnic, when he was asked to introduce a guest at the local arts festival in a fortnight's time.
That guest was Hone Tuwhare.
The Kaka Point-based poet was due in the city to promote his latest work Piggy Back Moon as part of the Christchurch Festival of the Arts.
Mr Potiki said he knew the position Tuwhare occupied in New Zealand literature, but was not overly familiar with his work.
"I decided to make a real effort and get reading."
Mr Potiki said while he was a literary man who appreciated the power of words, "poetry had never been a passion".
Poems tackling the the themes of land, sea, weather, Maoridom, the simple pleasures of life, resonated strongly with the former Karitane man.
"There was something familiar about it. He reminded me of my father - the sort of man who would suck the eyes out of a blue cod . . . and eat a paua pattie in white bread with butter dripping down his chin."
Like his late father Les, the poet appeared to belong to a generation which was "more in rhythm with the landscape around them, compared to where we find ourselves these days".
Mr Potiki said when it came to him introducing Tuwhare, he spoke of the poet's humility as "an integral part of who he was".
His speech - which was in both Maori and English, resulted in Tuwhare "having a tangi - a bit of a cry".
Afterwards, a large queue emerged at the book signing, with Tuwhare refusing to sign any books until he was given something to drink.
With a wine in his hand and a pen in the other, Tuwhare signed the inside of Mr Potiki's book in Maori.
Translated it read "To Tahu. My most hospitable greetings to you and your family. I see you as a friend. Hone Tuwhare."
Potiki said his encounter with Tuwhare led to a growing interest in the "Southern cohort", artists such as Ralph Hotere, Colin McCahon and Cilla McQueen.
Later, when he became chief executive of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu, one of his initiatives was to bring various New Zealand artists together to "respond to cultural questions".
"Artists are seeing thing as they are happening or about to happen, and it is important to get those people talking."
Mr Potiki said in his role he was able to meet a variety of people, such as the Queen and Danny Devito, but it was the humble poet of Kaka Point who left the biggest mark.
He said the death of Tuwhare in January 2008 was a moment to reflect on the man, his mana and his work.
"I would say a journey through the work of Hone Tuwhare was as fundamental to our culture and country as the work of William Shakespeare."