Te Waipounamu at Pipitea

Tu Tangata, Issue 6, 1 June 1982, Page 38

Te Waipounamu at Pipitea

A cultural “education” tour of the North Island by Te Waipounamu Maori Girls college ended on Friday April 16, with a performance at Pipitea Marae, Wellington.

The Christchurch college spent 10 days of, “living and learning the Maori way,” as fifth former Shellie Kakae tiredly put it. Although the girls “didn’t get much sleep,” they maintained the high standard of performance which won them an award at the South Island Cultural Competitions, last year. College administrator Mrs Reihana Parata said, “knowing how demanding the trip would be we conditioned the girls for it by sometimes practising for up to 12 hours.” She added that they were all overwhelmed by the support and aroha shown them every where they went. “The warmth they showed us made us

feel right at home,” she said. Apart from learning about the different marae they visited, elders also lined up ties between the girls and the area. ‘‘For some girls it had been the first time they had been back home,” Mrs Parata said. The trip was an unforgettable experience in which the girls enjoyed the arrivals but dreaded the de partures. Old-girl of the Maori girls college Ripeka Parata said the educational tour reflected the need for teachers to encourage experience education, “towards strengthening the understand) j of our Maori and Pakeha traditions and customs.”