matou i nga pakiwaitara o Ruatoki — te take mo te ingoa o Ruatoki, nga turehu e noho ana kei roto i nga puke, te taniwha o te awa, te aha te aha. I tera ra ka haere etahi o matou ma runga hoiho, ka haere etahi ma raro kia kite i nga mea o tenei wahi. I te po na ka whakahaerea tetahi kanikani. Tokomaha nga tangata i haere mai ki tenei kanikani. He tino pai te pēne ahakoa he kaha rawa te tangi. I te kaha o te kanikani akuanei ka matemoe ahau. I te tekau ma rua karaka i te po ka mutu te kanikani. Ka haere tika matou ki te moe. I te tekau ma tahi karaka i te ata ka whakareri matou ki te wehe. Ka poroporoaki nga tangata whenua i roto i te whare nui ki a matou. Tino pouri matou ki te wehe. I muri o te whaikorero ka haere matou ki waho ki te pahi. Katahi ka haere atu matou. Kore rawa ahau e wareware i te hui nei. Christopher Mathews, Form V, Tauponui-a-tia College. During mid-July, along with 39 other College students from 5th form Maori classes, I was able to spend three days on the Ruatoki Marae. As an exchange student, I feel so privileged to have had this opportunity to experience life on a marae and consider it as being one of my greatest experiences in your country. For the past six months I have been able to study the Maori language. I feel that for us students to have been able to associate for a length of time, in an area where Maori is predominantly spoken, is an ideal way to further the study of the Maori language. I received exceptional honours, through the traditional privileges associated with the ceremonies exercised during my stay. I noticed especially the high standard of hospitality expressed to me along with other visitors present at the Rautoki Marae. I took deep interest in the Maori attitude toward their community way of life, e.g., the respect shown to the elders, the fascinating closeness exercised, the general atmosphere, expressing a calm, relaxing and casual feeling; all these things made me realize the value of Maori community life. I felt that their way of community living on the marae was excellent in the way that there is always someone to turn to for help, how the problem of meals took care of themselves through joint effort and how the people made entertainment very highly spirited. I was very impressed with the natural Maori musical talent. I have especially learned to appreciate this through attending Maori Club classes at which are taught the Maori way of life and culture, action songs, craft and so forth. It was unique being able to experience items studied in class, such as preparation for a hangi, greeting the Maori people in their native tongue and seeing for oneself what had once been knowledge only through books. I came as an exchange student to help promote international goodwill and understanding. Already I have learned a lot about the New Zealand way of life and especially so through the eagerness of the people to teach me all they know about New Zealand. Sue Durham, South African Exchange Student, Tauponui-a-tia College. This poem was written by a Samoan pupil at Hillary College The morning's blistering breeze Battering against me, piercing within rigid pores, My warm and damp mouth moist with saliva. Dribbling awkwardly into the cold winter weather. Explosions of spasmic shivery Dicatate my every action Blundering Back hitched up, hands in pockets I continue to school Drugged illusions before me Makes me stagger and shake