Once again our tau 9 and 10s were off exploring Te Tai Poutini and all of its beauty!

Day one:

Our day started at 6.30am, loading the vans, a quick karakia then on the road. The drive over was very wet, however it definitely did not dull the excitement of our pononga, the boys were singing and dancing in the rain at Arthur's Pass, while the girls enjoyed the peace in the vans.

Unfortunately the weather was against us and we were unable to see the Hokitika Gorge, however in town we were all able to explore the town and see lots of both raw and finished pounamu. 

Our drive to Te Tauraka Waka o Maui was amazing, with lots of waterfalls and flowing rivers.

Makaawhio Marae is absolutely beautiful, our pononga and kaimahi were warmly welcomed and treated to dinner after the pōwhiri, before gathering in the wharenui for some stories of the area from Matua Jeff. Of course, our pononga were eager to play spotlight before bed. 

Day two:

Each morning, everyone was up for some Mataora with Matua Dennis before enjoying their parakuihi, and making their lunch for the day. The first day was a trip down to Awarua, Haast Visitor Centre and a short hīkoi, before heading to a spot for some Pounamu hunting. Unfortunately, we were unable to go to the awa we had previously on our last trip, however we stopped at a section of beach to search. It was great to see the excitement on everyone's faces as they searched and searched. Everyone found some special pieces to bring home with them which was great. On our way back to the marae, we stopped again at Ship’s Creek where we were able to once again search along the river and beach for Pounamu. On returning back to the marae, pononga had some time to prepare a skit based on one of three stories, Poutini, Hinehukatere and Tuawe, and Rākaihautū. It was great to see pononga learn the story and retell it in their own ways. Before dinner, everyone made the best of the rain and created a slip n slide on the grass. In between the yelling, singing, sliding and haka, there was even a bit of a touch game. 

Day three:

After mataora, breakfast, mahi and making our lunches, we were off to Ka roimata o Hinehukatere and Te moeka o Tuawe. Unfortunately, the clouds covered the glaciers so we were unable to see them. After heading back to the marae, some were lucky to go with Matua Jeff to the Makaawhio River to search for Aotea Pounamu. Aotea Pounamu can only be found in one river and some pononga were very lucky finding some. After dinner, Whaea Dalice got the bonfire going for some smores by the fire. At bedtime, pononga were sung some waiata by Matua Jodi which was a great way to finish our day. 

Day four:

Our last day definitely felt like the longest. Due to a road closure from fire, we thought we may have to go the long way home, however, luckily the road opened and we could get through. After stopping in Hokitika for lunch and a quick play on the park, we headed for home. Seeing the devastation to the whenua, as we drove through was very upsetting, with planes, helicopters and crews working hard to keep the fire under control.

After our four days away, it is safe to say, everyone was exhausted, but we were so happy that we could share the beauty of Te Tai Poutini with them, and search for their own taonga to bring home. We all had a blast, and the rain definitely didn’t put a damper on our trip or the energy of our pononga. This time away really brought us closer together as a puna and has created memories for life. It was an amazing time on the coast and we are super proud of everyone's growth and openness to learn and experience new things. Our pononga were amazing both out and about and at the marae and we hope they have many memories of their trip together as Te Puna Karikari.