Maori culture group tour

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 15, 9 September 1986, Page 18

Maori culture group tour

After lots of preparation, the 40-strong Ruapehu College Maori culture group left the Waimarino at 4.30am on Monday 11 August for a once in a lifetime week's South Island tour. The group travelled to Wellington by chartered coach and after a smooth Cook Strait crossing arrived in Picton and made their way to their first stop at Queen Charlotte College. After a greeting by students, they continued to Waikawa Marae where the group presented a concert, enjoyed a games evening, and stayed the night. They left Picton on Tuesday, on their way to Te Rehua Marae in Christchurch, and stopped at points of jnterest along the way. The students were keenly interested in the seals along the rocks at Paia Point, and passed the salt works at

Lake Grassmere. They were greeted at Te Rehua by a large contingent of elders and addressed by Sir Hemi Henare, a respected kuia, who told the group "As you walk across the stage of life, leave behind you a light in the mirror brighter than when you came to it."

The night was spent in entertainment, with many of the group reunited with distant friends and relatives. The group had a brief bus tour of Christchurch, before performing a lunch-time concert at Aranui College, and playing sports with their hosts. Some of the students shopped in Christchurch during the afternoon before travelling back to Te Rehua for tea, and another perfor- ; mance, which was well received. On Thursday they left Te Rehua after a tearful farewell and some words of wisdom from a spokesman of the marae: "Te Reo (the language) is the plume of your identity, the jewel of your prestige and the soul of your dignity." The group headed for the West Coast, via Arthur's Pass, where many were awed by the majestic scenery of the Southern Alps. They

stopped to feed keas along the way, amazed that the birds were so cheeky and tame with humans. They stayed the night at Union Church Hall in Greymouth and met with several ex-Ruapehu College pupils and old friends. The students attended Mass at St Mary's Church on Friday and sang two songs, for which they received a standing ovation from the congregation. They took the bus to Shantytown to try their hand at gold panning, and there was great excitement when gold was discovered. The group visited a greenstone factory and glassblowing factory before returning to Greymouth High School for their last concert of the tour. It was a very special and moving occasion when the last hymn was sung, accompanied by ex-pupils.