During the school holidays, the year 12 Te Reo Māori class travelled to the Rarotonga in the Cook Islands to experience and explore the culture, the language and our ancestry as Māori.

We flew from Christchurch to the country’s main island of Rarotonga. A few of us hadn’t been overseas before, so it was a big moment.

The first couple of days, we began experiencing the lifestyle of the island by visiting the local markets and church, and we soon realised how kind and friendly the locals were. 

As we all continued to explore over the course of the week, many of us were presented with several daunting challenges, both physical and mental. The pinnacle of the physical challenges we faced was the hike to the centre of the island up a famous land feature called the needle. For some of us it wasn’t difficult but for others it was extremely challenging, with most of the walk climbing up a steep ridge. However, no one gave up and no one was left behind, and we all made it to the top.

We encountered many mental challenges during the week whether it is trying to stay awake for the final game of cards after midnight or enduring the tropical heat in the van when driving around. However, my biggest mental challenge was exploring the conflicting views between around the migration and history of Māori. We visited Highland Paradise, a historical place built around an ancient marae site, and had a guided tour. We also visited Mike Tavioni, a renowned carver in the Cook Islands. The discussions we had at both places really opened my eyes up to different perspectives and allowed me to explore them and come to informed conclusions for myself.

There are too many highlights of the trip to list them all, but a few favourites were: visiting a local school, Nukutere College, and spending time with the students, seeing the rock the Kupe (the discoverer of New Zealand) placed pointing to NZ upon his return to Rarotonga and developing a close friendship and sense of whānau between all of the boys that went.

My personal reflection is that it was an amazing journey from the end of last year, up until we flew home to Christchurch.  Not just for the wonderful beaches, warm ocean water and hot weather but also for the information we gathered about Rarotonga, Te Reo Māori and our unique voyaging ancestry also spending time with the locals, strengthening the bond between our class and overall have a good time. 

Therefore, overall score 10/10 would do again.

- Thomas Pirker.

The boys did themselves proud on this trip.  Not only was the behaviour and conduct exceptional, they represented themselves well at each occasion. Our gifts to the people we interacted with were waiata, haka, and the wairua that we left with them. Many people remarked how interested and enthusiastic the boys were.

The massive program included:

• The Punanga Nui Market
  
• Visit to several ancient marae sites and historical places, including Avana Harbour where the waka left Rarotonga
  
• The Cook Islands Christian Church
  
• The hike to the needle in the centre of the island
  
• A visit to Tereora College
  
• Tapuae Day Tour at Highland Paradise
  
• Pareu painting and meal with a local family
  
• A workshop with master carver, Mike Tavioni
• Paddling waka/vaka beyond the reef
• Visit to Nukutere College
  
• Service day at the Rarotonga hospital
  
• Visit to Te Vara Nui Cultural Village
  
• Koka Lagoon Cruise
  
• A visit with the NZ High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Peter Marshall.
  

A big thanks to the whānau that supported the boys to get to Rarotonga. Without them, their love and support, it would not have been possible.

A special thanks to Whaea Tanya for being a key driver behind the trip, and to Mr Perkins, and Matau Flanagan for accompanying the boys on the trip.

- Joseph Houghton.