July 2021

Hutt International Boys School Service Project

Iramoko Marae, Manawahe, Bay of Plenty 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!!

School comments …..

Did the trip meet the outcomes?

The service projects we undertook were completed to a high standard and the students learned from this experience of service. I had expected some level of cultural learning to take place, but the depth and level to which we were able to gain insights into Marae living outstripped expectations in the most positive way. Every team member (including staff) came away with new insights. It was an absolute privilege to meet Pouroto and Amohaere and the rest of the marae team.

Our regular school curriculum has been enriched, extended and complemented
Different learning opportunities were presented
Real life Authentic learning took place (on so many levels)
Service (meaningful and enriching) - met cultural competencies required to engage with people in an international context were developed through an understanding of our own back yard and culture.
Yes absolutely- stoked with how the trip went. We completed all the service projects plus a few extra bits. I think we got more out of it from a cultural and spiritual experience than expected too. I think what they learnt will stay with them for a long time.

Highlights

From arrival to departure the trip was fantastic. I especially enjoyed the growth I saw in my staff and students. I felt very comfortable. It has been one of the highlights of my career as a teacher to have completed this trip. The overall success from planning to execution has been a highlight, given that we started this process for the IS 2021 team with the unknowns of COVID. We did not know if we were even going to be able to travel to a NZ destination. The fact we actually did this trip is a testament to all of the mahi that the team put in (including your hard mahi Les). I really cannot fault it.
Interactions with those living on the marae- having a chance to ask them questions and learn more about the Maori culture, traditions and concept of wairua. 2) Riverbugs and Tarawera falls walk- really fun day and a cool experience to just sit and reflect at Tarawera. 3) The poroporoaki and final evening was a really special experience and great to see boys sing the waiata.

Trip Preparation

Les, you were always available to assist in the planning of the trip and what you presented in terms of the programme complemented our intended outcomes very well. Communication and planning alongside us was excellent. You listened to our philosophy of service and ran with this. I feel we were on the same page during the planning phase and this gave us both some license to identify quality activities.
Great communication and very clear schedule created. Clear health and safety guidelines. Les was really good at listening to what we wanted out of the trip and finding activities that fit well. We were also sent great information about tikanga and protocol prior to trip.

Other Comments

I have been on many school trips as a staff member and leader, and this has been by far the best experience so far. Until now, I have not dealt with an "outside provider" to manage the programme, set up the trip and be the liaison between my group and the community, this has always been my job as leader. From this perspective I came to the trip with some minor trepidation as I am used to having the full weight of the trip on my shoulders. After meeting with you several times Les, I felt comfortable and confident that our planning was sound.

I fully recommend any future trip leaders to ensure they have a recce trip, as this aspect alleviated any concerns I had about our expected "comfort" and safety, and whether we could meet our service objectives; meeting with Tangata whenua prior to coming into the community to give service meant that our service projects were on point with the needs of the community.

Overall, it was an amazing trip!!! I am so happy with how it went and will never forget it. Les was fantastic, friendly, knowledgeable, professional and got on so well with the boys. The Marae were super welcoming. Any problems that occurred were really minor and did not affect the outcomes of the trip at all. Everyone can't stop talking about the trip and the HIBS community are really interested and proud.

HIBS Service Projects 2021

Enjoy this pictorial journey of the Māori context Service Projects completed by the boys and staff from Hutt International Boys School (HIBS) from Wellington. The projects are contributing to the marae plan to become self sustainable.

See school feedback comments below

(photos provided by Pouroto Ngaropo, Mereana Hona, Huhana Peri, HIBS staff, Travel Ed)

Pouroto host.jpeg — Pouroto Ngaropo

Rangatira, Iramoko Marae, Te Tawera Hapū

Amohaere cropped.jpeg — Amohaere Tangitu

Kuia, Iramoko Marae, Te Tawera Hapū

Iramoko Marae from the waharoa (entrance)

Travel Ed banner in front of Paetata.jpeg

Marae community enjoying hāngī and dessert. Well done boys!!

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