Tailored International Students Programmes
Objectives
The international programme is designed specifically to guide people through their first experience of the Maori culture.
In 2004, some 430 international visitors, young and old, took part in workshops that are fun, educational, interactive and gently tailored to their understanding.
“We’ve had visitors from Korea learning to cook in the Ngawha, the natural boiling pool, to Canadians sitting down and weaving with our people,” says teacher, Poihaere Knight, who is also fluent in Japanese.
“We’ve also had requests from overseas editors whose readers have asked where they can learn a little bit of the Maori language. More and more travellers are learning that to know a little of the language is to gain a better understanding of the culture.”
Te Puia’s education staff successfully created a Maori language workshop for a group of Japanese students and will modify aspects of other workshops on request.
Learning activities
The 90 minutes international programme may include the following:
- Hongi – our traditional greeting on arrival
- Visit to the carving school
- Visit to the weaving house
- Interactive session with a demonstration of how to make a piupiu – dance skirt
- Tour the thermal valley
- Visit the kiwi
Plus a choice of one of these hands-on activities:
- Weaving
- Learning a haka
- Making poi and dancing
- Learning songs and games
- Weaponry skills
- Cooking in the hot pool and storytelling
All are at introduction level but designed to give participants an unforgettable experience.
“It’s a lighter touch but still enough to open the way to our world,” says Poihaere.