Saturday was a big day! We woke up and kicked off Caroline K’s 18th birthday with lots of love and presents and sweets.
After packing up our bags and saying farewell to the beautiful mountains of Wanaka, we made our way north to Waihao Marae, a Maori community center, where we were welcomed by some incredibly warm and hospitable members of the local Ngai Tahu Iwi (tribe).
Entrance to the community center was performed in a ritualistic way in which an elder named Wendy stood on the front steps and formally called our group on with a traditional greeting. We walked into a small gathering hall with a wooden interior and were again greeted and welcomed by a formal acknowledgement and song performed by all members of the Maori community. It was then our turn to thank and acknowledge our hosts with a song. We chose “Where is the Love?” by the Black Eyed Peas, a hip hop song which has become something of a group anthem on this trip. After this exchange we performed the Hongi in which each member of our group pressed noses and foreheads with each member of the host community. This practice symbolizes sharing the breath of life and transitioning from being a visitor to becoming Tangata whenua, one of the people of the land. After this, while sharing tea and biscuits, each person introduced themself by acknowledging the place of their home and that of their parents or ancestors.
After all of the formal introductions were completed, we relaxed and played cards, chatted with the local community about Maori culture and tattoos, and shared a delicious Hangi meal of lamb pork, applesauce, gravy, and vegetables. Our hosts for the evening, Aroha Wikairi, her husband Steve and son Arlin were incredibly hospitable and accommodating. We had an amazing time sharing laughter, games, and delicious meals with them. Aroha even prepared a cheesecake to help us celebrate Caroline K’s 18th birthday!
After much revelry including an inflated latex glove balloon fight with Arlin, we put out mattresses and sleeping bags and had a giant slumber party in the community hall. The next day we wished Aroha and her family goodbye and set off to enjoy our final days of New Zealand exploring Christchurch.
– Topher & Jaimie