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New Zealand experience grows global indigenous network
A special bond forged through a Study Abroad programme, involving Vermont’s Champlain College and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), was marked by the gifting of a unique pare whakairo (carved doorway mantel) to the US College in September.
Called Te Hononga (The Convergence), the pare whakairo was created by kaiwhakairo (Māori carver) Pahi O’Carroll over four weeks in residence on the Champlain campus.
The pare is unlike any other. It is carved from a wood native to the area – black walnut – and evokes values, beliefs and traditions common to both Māori and the indigenous people of Vermont, the Abenaki.
The relationship between Champlain and AUT dates back five years, when New Zealand Honorary Consul and trustee of Champlain College, Dr George Burrill, first established a study abroad exchange programme between the two institutions. To date, over 100 students have participated.
One of the highlights of American students’ time at AUT is the Noho Marae programme.
“Every year students tell us how the Noho Marae programme has profoundly impacted them,” ENZ General Manager – International, Lisa Futschek, says. “It turns them into lifelong advocates for New Zealand, its education system and Māori culture.”
Run by AUT Senior Lecturer in Māori and Indigenous Development, Jason King, the mini-course includes basic Te Reo Māori, Māori mythology, waiata (songs) and cultural customs. It includes with a noho marae (weekend-long marae experience).
King describes the course as “the base of a tree, from which branches and leaves grow”.
“The course puts indigenous goggles on students,” he says. “It opens them up to areas of discussion with their own indigenous people.
“My ultimate aim is to connect us not only globally, but indigenously.”
Thanks to their connection to Māori via AUT and the Noho Marae programme, Champlain College made a formal connection to their own indigenous people, the Abenaki tribe. A representative from the Abenaki was present at the unveiling of Te Hononga.
Many US students choose to keep in touch after they return home through the student-led Whānau Councils. These were first established in 2010 after students from Europe were so moved by their AUT marae experience that they set up their own group to maintain their connection to New Zealand and each other. There are now three Whānau Councils across Europe and the US actively supported by AUT.
For the European council’s 10-year anniversary, members of group are planning to return to New Zealand – this time with their partners and children.
“We tell them during the Noho Marae, after studying in New Zealand you are whānau for life,” King says.
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Spring has sprung so let’s refresh your Study in New Zealand profile
Euan Howden, ENZ’s Student Attraction Director, says an institution’s SiNZ profile is an important digital flag that ENZ can help promote through its digital work programme.
“Think of your SiNZ profile as the digital shop front that links to your own website. For many schools, and especially smaller providers, this profile is a key way that a prospective student can find you through ENZ’s marketing efforts.
“We want to make your profile as good as we can. Over the next few months, ENZ will be undertaking a scan of all profiles and where needed we’ll refresh a profile so it’s ready for the new year.
“We’ll start by looking to see where a profile hasn’t been updated for quite a while or where key information isn’t included. We’ll then refresh profiles with information from your own website and check in with you to ensure you are on board. We’ll also check that we have the correct administrator details so that you can update it in the future.”
Want to refresh your own profile? Have questions? Email info@studyinnewzealand.govt.nz and we’ll be in touch.
- Education New Zealand quarterly report for 1 October to 31 December 2017
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