12 July 2010

Foundation Classes Visit a Marae

By Yuiki Takenoshita (edited by Moira Blake)

All the Foundation students recently visited a marae about 15 minutes from IPC. I was chosen to make a speech in Maori and English at the Powhiri there, so I started practising it a few days before the visit. I learned some of the traditional expressions for giving thanks to God and for the Marae. When I spoke, the Maori people seemed to understand what I was saying. They were nodding, and said “Kia ora” in reply. That was a really precious experience for me and I enjoyed it.

After the speeches, we took part in a Hongi and then we did some activities to experience Maori culture and customs. We had fun with the people at the marae, and because of this visit I believe that we all feel closer to the Maori people than before.

The students at the Powhiri (Welcome Ceremony). The people from the marae are facing the camera.	Kohji Tanigawa taking part in the hongi at the end of the Powhiri.	Mana Kubota learning how to work with flax	Manaka Watanabe, Natthira Rattasamphan, and Nozomi Isaka with their finished flax flowers.

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