08 January 2009

Powhiri Welcomes the New Students for January 2009

By Emu Izaki. Translated by Shirley Ghozalli. Edited by Moira Blake.

The new students from January 2009 intake

A Powhiri, a Maori traditional ceremony for welcoming guests, took place on 7th January. Thirteen students from New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, French Polynesia (Tahiti), China, India, Pakistan, and South Korea were welcomed by the local people and then by senior staff members.

Following traditional Maori custom, a representative from the Rangitane community of Manawatu, Mr. Peter Te Rangi, welcomed the new students to the land, making reference to the gods of the land and the spirits of the ancestors as he did so. Mr Te Rangi spoke and sang first in Maori. He then explained in English what he had said and sung.

As the representative of the new students, Jason Geange, replied expressing the new students' gratitude for the welcome. After that, the staff members sang a song (Waiata) in Maori. Following this welcome, IPC Dean, Faculty of International Studies, Mrs. Sue Jenkins, spoke to the students. Her message to them was that there are many opportunities at IPC, but that if they are to make the most of their time here, the students need to be willing to grab those opportunities and to join in the activities and clubs, both at IPC and in the local community.

The final remarks were given by IPC President, Mr. Ken Cunningham, who emphasised that IPC is a miniature of the world and that we are all people of the world. He commented on each of the countries that the new students came from - most of which he had worked in or at least visited. He advised the new students to make sure that their encounters with new friends, different languages and different cultures were meaningful encounters, and also encouraged them to seek out the lecturers or other students if there is something they don't understand or they have a problem. He assured them that IPC is a place where the staff are very friendly and helpful.

After this the new students, some current students who were helping the new students and staff members, as well as Mr Te Rangi, enjoyed morning tea and pleasant conversation together.

This Powhiri was part of the Orientation program organised for the new students from 7th until 9th January. The program also includes going to town, organising bank accounts, and receiving information about the courses the students are going to take and about some of the activities available to them outside the classroom. Several activities are also planned for the first week of term, such as a movie night in town for both new and current students, and a farm visit and BBQ at the river for the new students.

More students are expected to arrive at the campus for the start of this summer term on 12th January or shortly afterwards.

Mr. Peter Te Rangi from the Rangitane community of Manawatu welcoming the new students in the Powhiri

Morning tea after the Powhiri

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