Discover by Doing | Mā te Mahi, Ka Mārama
Travel Ed hosts experiences in the Bay of Plenty that bring people together through Māori context experiences. Activities offered vary from hangi making to ancestral mountain hikes, waka paddling to marae stays, and kapa haka to traditional Māori games.
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Hutt International Boys School (HIBS) Service Projects Programme
Travel Ed, HIBS staff and Iramoko Marae community working together in a collaboration to benefit the HIBS boys and the community. [Left to Right Wereta (Les) from Travel Ed, Peet and Kim (HIBS), Pouroto (Iramoko), John (HIBS), Amohaere and Azori (Iramoko), Victoria (HIBS)]
During the July school holidays 16 boys and four staff fro HIBS spent 11 days at Iramoko Marae in a collaboration with the marae community and Travel Ed. Marae rangatira, Pouroto Ngaropo and kuia Amohaere, took time out of their busy schedules to provide tikanga and history experiences for the boys. Other marae whānau who worked with the boys included whaea Huhana, whaea Ruihi, whaea Mereana, matua Willie, matua Quin to add to te Ao Māori (Māori world) experiences. They taught skills and knowledge to do with mahi hakakeke (flax), te taiao (environment), food preparation and cooking. Projects the boys worked on were:
Building raised māra huawhenua (vegetable gardens)
Building whare heihei (chicken coop)
Building whare poaka (pig pen)
Mural connecting Ngāti Awa and Te Atiawa tribes designed and painted by the boys
Digitising video/print resources in the Whare Kōrero/Taonga (resources whare)
Upgrading ablutions area
Refreshing whare kai/kāuta (dining room/kitchen)
Making hāngī for the marae community
The boys were required to prepare their own meals and clean up in teams. This included teams to prepare the final hāngi where the boys prepared the food, put it into the steamer and when cooked lifted it out and dished it up. They went as far as making the stuffing and trifle as well!!
UPCOMING EXPERIENCES
14 March 2021 7 Hours
Hear the historical stories of the Māori who settled across the coastline, enjoy a traditional Māori lunch, and participate in interactive cultural workshops.
Join our monthly guided hīkoi (first Sunday of each Month)
Join us as we walk up the Pāpāmoa Hills and learn about the Māori history along the Bay of Plenty coastline. Moderate fitness is required.
EXPERIENCES WE OFFER
If you have spare time on your hands, then our 2 to 7-day adventure and cultural experiences will leave you wanting more.
Enjoy a variety of experiences with a Māori-context. From coastal exploration through to art and history tours.
manuhiri(customer) FEEDBACK
“‘Really appreciated the time & energy spent, I have been walking the hills for 6yrs now, and as someone who is from here through whakapapa, it was great to have someone actually sharing relevant history as it’s not that easy to access when you weren’t born & raised here. Nga mihi!!!”
“Les’s manner is open and friendly. He has an obvious depth of knowledge of the Papamoa area especially relating to the local Iwi. A refreshing way to share stories often only shared amongst their own. I felt comfortable and safe with the group. We were often invited to interact or add to the korero.”
KURA(Schools) FEEDBACK
A student’s reflection of his hīkoi experience
“A Moment in Time-At the Top of the Papamoa Hills
Marvelling at Tauranga Moana, my eyes are drawn towards Mauao, a King on his throne. The trees at the bottom of the hill stand tall like soldiers awaiting command. I breathe in the fresh air, gazing at the Kaimai Ranges, wondering how such an astonishing scene could be made.
The ocean glistens while we capture its beauty. Staring at the many Pa’s, I am thinking about the Māori chiefs that once stood here, scanning the sea for invading ships. I spot Motiti in the distance, and Matakana hiding behind Mauao, and finally Tuhua.
I felt the dewy grass that belongs to this Maori Tribal land, once only peppered with homes and stores. Now I know why it’s called the Bay of Plenty.
Papamoa is my Home.
”
“Les, Kim and Rangimarie are superb hosts and bring the local Papamoa history alive with their wonderful knowledge and stories. The views are spectacular and the pupils learnt a lot about the rich history of our local area. It was also great for the adults to learn about the local geography/history. Highly recommended.”
“Overall a fantastic way to spend a day in the sun learning about our local environment through a Maori lens. This walk has tied in really nicely with our term’s Connected Curriculum focus which is “Our Place”.”
“What a lovely informative day we had! It was so good to learn a bit more about the History of where we live. Kids and parents had a blast!”