New Zealand’s rich Māori culture is a treasure that international students can explore during their time in this beautiful country. It’s not just about learning from a distance; it’s about diving into the heart of Māori traditions, customs, and history.
Māori Culture at Pakūranga College
New Zealand’s Māori culture is an integral part of Aotearoa’s identity, and you can immerse yourself in it right here at Pakūranga College.
- Experience a Pōwhiri
All international students at Pakūranga College will be welcomed onto the campus grounds with a traditional pōwhiri (welcoming ceremony) on their first day. You will be called with a karanga (welcoming call), before taking your seats opposite tangata whenua (college staff and students). A karakia (prayer) is recited and our kaumatua (elders) will kōrero (speak), before a waiata (song) and haka (challenge).
Following this, members in the front row of the manuhiri (visitors) group, will be invited to hongi (press noses) with the front row of the tangata whenua. Once this is complete, you have been properly welcomed to Pakūranga College and everyone will gather to share kai (food).
- Immerse Yourself in Kapa Haka
Pakūranga College has a kapa haka rōpū (group), named Te Tai o Pakūranga. We highly recommend taking the opportunity to see the group perform. Full of talented students, Te Tai o Pakūranga competes in prestigious kapa haka competitions and their performances inspire awe – we guarantee the audience will feel chills!
Or, if you are with us for a year or more, you may want to join Te Tai o Pakūranga. The group is very welcoming of new members and keen to share our culture with you. Just ask Jonas from Germany:
When I first arrived at Pakūranga College, all the international students were welcomed with a traditional Māori pōwhiri. It was amazing, but I never thought I’d perform one myself. Then one of the kapa haka leaders was really welcoming and invited me to give the group a go. I thought I’d try it because it’s a unique part of New Zealand culture and it’s turned out to be the thing I’ve enjoyed most in my time here.
It’s a big commitment, we rehearsed 16 hours a for a big competition called Te Ahurea, but it’s been amazing to learn all the songs in te reo and the actions, which are very fierce. Wearing the traditional costume and having ta moko (tattoo) painted on my face is something I’ve never experienced before – it made me feel part of the group and the culture. My parents have been very supportive, they enjoy seeing photos and videos from the performances.
3. Kōrero in Te Reo
If you’d like a challenge you can’t experience outside New Zealand, why not sign up for our Te Reo courses and learn the Māori language? At Pakūranga College we offer Te Reo as a subject from Year 9 – 13, so you can learn more about the indigenous culture and language of New Zealand.
If performance is more your thing, then you can sign up for our Māori Performing Arts class, for students from Year 9 – 13. Learn traditional Māori movements with poi, tī rākau (sticks), and of course, the haka.
Outside of school we encourage you to pay a visit to Auckland Museum, which holds many beautiful Māori artifacts such as waka (boats), korowai (cloaks), taiaha (weapon), tiki (carved human figure), and even a marae (meeting house). It’s just 30 minutes by bus or ferry.
International students at Pakūranga College have a wonderful chance to make Māori culture a key part of their New Zealand adventure – we encourage you to take this opportunity, you won’t regret it!
