Waipapa Marae Programme
Begin your semester abroad by building a better understanding of Aotearoa and its Māori people, and forming new connections with your fellow students.
The Waipapa Marae Programme for study abroad and exchange students takes place at the beginning of each semester, just before Orientation. Come together with fellow students from all over the world, and experience the beautiful Waipapa Marae, located right on our City Campus. Get to know one another, and learn from our welcoming and knowledgeable Māori student leaders.
Part of the reason why I came to New Zealand is to learn more about cultures that are unfamiliar to me. The more I feel like I can learn the stories and cultural norms, the more I feel like it will become my home.
Experience a pōwhiri (welcoming ceremony), learn some phrases in te reo Māori (Māori language), sing waiata (songs), and have a go at performing poi and haka (performing arts). You'll also hear from experts about Māori history and beliefs, and can burn off some energy playing kī o rahi - a fun Māori ball sport combining handball, netball and touch rugby.
Being invited in to such a special place, met with patience and
openness felt really special. I am grateful to have learnt more about the
culture and history of the land and the people with fellow international
students as one of the first things I did after arriving in Aotearoa. This
experience will stay with me through out my stay here as well as into my future
endevours.
