Category: 2022-23

Kia Ora!

We planted the seeds, they fed us sausages!

During the month of May, I looked to give back to the community of Dunedin. I found The Halo Project, which is a wide spread restoration project in Long Beach, Otago. When I was here, I learned more about the place I am in and what my work is contributing to. I also made some new friends. That day we planted many native species and since there was so many of us we got a lot of work done.

Within a day, we dug holes for the seedlings, planted them, and folded cardboard protective barriers to be placed around them. I appreciate the opportunity to give back to the community l am in even when I am far from home.

As one of 50 university students who were brought down to the Long Beach planting site, we helped plant a whopping 1450 seedlings in one day, as well as completing other gardening and environment restoration tasks. This mahi (work) contributed to Halo Project’s wider goals of forest restoration, dune protection, and habitat creation at Long Beach Recreation Reserve.

I also worked in the Otago student garden every weekend. During these days, I have learned of the consistency it takes to tend to a garden. We were always assigned a task, whether it was weeding, shoveling compost, or planting new crops. At the end, we all split the harvested vegetables to take home and include in out meals. I also connected deeper within this community, even when I’m abroad. Being in New Zealand is much like being in Hawaiʻi, the people and lifestyle are very similar. I met a lot of different people at the garden and we each contributed in our own way. Just by showing up and giving a helping hand, we accomplished a lot in the garden. It goes to show that no matter where you, you can make a difference. 

Best,
Kahiau
(Faith)

It has been a whirlwind the last couple of weeks. With the Easter holiday, mid-semester break, and my family visiting me, a lot has happened. Let’s start with Easter. I am still amazed by the kindness New Zealanders have. By some distant connection, my flatmate and I went up to Christchurch to spend the holiday with a family. They took us in, hosted us, and fed us amazing food. It was a refreshing break from the college meals weʻve been having. I truly will remember this kindness others have been showing me and one day pay it forward.

Following the holiday in Christchurch, my tutu (grandma) and aunty met up with me in New Zealand. They explored the North Island and then flew down to the South Island to see me. This was the start of our epic road trip through New Zealand. When I say epic, I mean EPIC! Here is how it went.

Starting in Christchurch, we drove to Lake Tekapō, then to Lake Pukaki. We stayed in Twisel for a night, then went on a four-mile hike in Aoraki  Mt. Cook National Park the next morning. It was a gorgeous day with stunning views of the mountain. After that, we drove to the town of Wanaka and enjoyed the immaculate view of the lake and the iconic Wanaka tree. This trip took place during mid-April, so it was the peak for Autumn colors. We even went jetboating on the lake and up a river in Wanaka.

Arrowtown was the best place to see the bright yellow and orange trees. We briefly stopped here on our way to Queenstown. Queenstown was another beautiful stop. We enjoyed a lamb and potato dinner since sheep are a staple here in New Zealand. In fact, there are about 7 sheep for every New Zealander that lives here. During our long drives, counting how many sheep we saw in the fields was impossible. The next day we took a day trip to Milford Sound. This place has to be the number one place I have visited thus far in New Zealand. I was overwhelmed by how beautiful it was. It is a glacier-carved fiord filled with waterfalls, dolphins, seals, and epic sea cliffs. 

After Queenstown, I got to show my tutu and aunty my University. Although when we first got back to Dunedin, there were large wind gusts, the weather turned out perfectly sunny. After giving them a campus tour, we went to see the blue penguins on the peninsula. This is my second time seeing these tiny ʻfairyʻ penguins; it never gets old. They are now my new favorite animal. 

That is all my updates for now. 

Best,
Kahiau

(Faith)

Kia Ora,

As you may be following along, I am enrolled in a Māori performing arts class. Today marks 30 days from our concert performance.  We so far have learned three songs, two of which have complete dance actions with them.

This past Saturday and Sunday, we had our wānanga, which translates to “to meet and discuss.” Essentially, it is a gathering of learning and knowledge. These days were full of learning and practicing the waiata (songs). We came into the weekend only knowing the words to one song. We then came out of the weekend having learned the actions of that song and knowing two more songs. Of course, my group and I rewarded ourselves with ice cream after such a long weekend of learning.

A key part of this class is to learn the songs in the dark. Te reo Māori (Māori language) has traditionally been strickly an oral language. Writing was not introduced until the  Europeans came around. Before that, all of the Māori whakapapa (genealogies), creation narratives, and stories were passed down orally. There were also certain times of the night that these were taught and they were usually in the form of song.

Our next song involves the poi and haka. The poi is a common dancing instrument used in Aotearoa. It is a foam ball wrapped in plastic attached to a string. Typically, the women dance with the poi, and the men do the haka; however, it is not required that we stick to those gender designations. I am learning the poi performance, and I am not as grateful as seasoned dancers make it seem. Since they grew up learning to dance with poi, I am giving myself a bit of grace. Hopefully, in the next month, I can practice enough to look somewhat good.

Best,

Kahiau

I am on day 3 of my classes, and I am enjoying all of them. Each course is so different from the others that it keeps me engaged and enthusiastic. I am taking geography, microbiology, Māori society, and Māori performing arts courses. Otago is a massive university with 20,000 students, so understandably, the lecture halls are filled with many people. However, I donʻt feel like a number here. The professors are so nice, knowledgeable, and approachable. They are experts in their field and passionately share the content. In some of my classes, the professor changes every few weeks or even every class. The University brings professors in that know so much about the topic we are learning.

My Māori performing arts class is really going to push me out of my comfort zone. Our final ‘exam’ includes performing a concert at the end of the semester. Our first class taught us some te reo Māori (the Māori language). I have a background in knowing the Hawaiian language and was not surprised by how similar the words and sentence structures are. I feel like this is the best way to learn about the land I am on and the people that originate here. I connect deeply with the Māori culture as I pick up on the similar facets between it and Hawai’i.

At the end of my school days, I find a flatmate to head to the campus gym. For the first two weeks, they offer free fitness classes like spin, yoga, boxing, and pump. They are so fun and really get your heart going. I also signed up for the canoe and tramping (hiking) clubs and am trying out for the football (soccer) club. With so much to do here, I will not be bored. I am sure making the most of my time here in Otago.

Till next time,

Kahiau Faith