Takapuna Experiences

Upon leaving the Kelly's Bay retreat we had a lovely visit at the Matakohe Kauri Museum, had lunch, and then travelled on to Wellsford where we met our Takapuna hosts and journeyed on with them back to the Auckland area on Monday. The rest of Monday was spent getting settled in with our new families.
Tuesday was our vocational day and each of the team members had a very full day of experiences which had been arranged for us. I was able to visit a Kindergarten, a full day child care center, a drop in Creche and the Education Review Office. As I said, it was a full day indeed. Tuesday evening we gave our presentation to the Takapuna Club and were pleased to celebrate Darren's birthday with them. At the meeting we were also able to visit with members of the North Shore Club, including one who plans to kayak the Mississippi this summer and many others who attended in our honor.
Today (Wednesday) we had a day filled with Maori culture. First we were welcomed to the Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Raki Paewhenua (Maori Immersion school at Mairangi Bay) with a traditional Powhiri ceremony followed by refreshments and visiting with the senior students and a tour of the school. We learned a great deal more about the philosophy of teaching Maori children in their own language and culture. In the afternoon we went to visit the Awataha Marae for additional Maori culture instruction and were able to view the carvings in progress and learned a basic flax weaving technique. Our day was finished with a potluck supper hosted by one of the host families. It was a day filled with new and interesting experiences and a great deal of fellowship.
Thursday morning we are looking forward to meeting our new host families from the Henderson Club and getting organized with them prior to the District Conference coming up this weekend. We feel as though the trip is suddenly speeding along and before we know it we will be on the plane headed back to Iowa, USA.