By Seth Hoffman
Welcome back friends to another episode of Seth in New Zealand. So begins my Fulbright experience. Here we go with orientation on February 3rd. It’s been really nice getting to know my new Fulbright family. We will hear many wonderful and informative speakers.
New Zealand History
Prominent New Zealand historian, Jock Phillips, gives us a 45 minute summary of New Zealand’s history. This could easily be an entire semester course, but he did a nice job fitting in the highlights to this brief overview.
Later that day, the Fulbright group went for an overnight visit to Waiwhetu Marae. A marae is a communal or sacred place that serves religious or social purposes in Polynesian societies. It was a real honor and privilege to be there and learn more about Maori culture and heritage.
We all slept in the wharenui (main sacred meeting/gathering house of the mare). It felt a little bit like being at summer camp. The wharenui also holds the memories and spirits of ancestors, and we were reminded that we also bring with us the spirit of our ancestors when we come here. As it happened, I had a very vivid dream about my mother that evening.
The next day we saw a waka (canoe), built in the authentic Maori style. This waka is actually used from time to time.
We even got a chance to sit inside and learn how Maori work together as a team to get these waka really moving. The simulation was much easier without the water resistance. If you see the movie “Whale Rider,” then you can see a wharenui and a waca.
Chants and Songs
Waiata, or songs and chants are an important part of Maori culture. They sang us a waiata to greet us, and we responded with a waiata as well. Then they sang a waiata before we left, and we also sang one as a farewell. So far I have learned 2 Maori waiata. I will post some videos of the waiata I have learned. The ones I have heard are about peace, hope, love, togetherness, faith, ancestors, and joy. I really like the purpose and meaning of these waiata. Here is a clip of one of the farewell waiata that was sung to us.
The hongi is a traditional Maori greeting or parting gesture. It is done by pressing one’s nose and forehead to another’s. In the hongi, the ha (or breath of life) is exchanged. The breath of life can also be interpreted as the sharing of both party’s souls.
Here are the Fulbright Teachers as we are about to depart from our beautiful marae experience.
At the end of our orientation we met our Fulbright host families. I had dinner with my wonderful hosts Bill and Sally Barrett.
We had an absolutely beautiful evening together. Friday February 6th I finally moved into my new apartment. Would you like to take a little tour?
Though my apartment is small, it’s cozy and located near many wonderful places. One of the highlights is Central Park (not THE Central Park in NY, but it’s a wonderful Central Park). This park features a zip line, and it’s quite fun and exhilarating as you can tell: http://youtu.be/r-mm_GAuZ9g
Lectured
It was exciting to attend my first lecture at Victoria University, taught by my fellow Fulbrighter Shahnaz’s advisor Bruce Carey.
Bruce is a fantastic professor, and he also is a great songwriter. He invited me to this wonderful open mic. I had a wonderful time, and I will likely be back every Tuesday. They may even give me a gig to play my own night there sometime. It had a great feel there. Those of you from Albuquerque, it felt a bit like the old Blue Dragon days.
I’ve been fortunate to experience much of Wellington’s beautiful nature. I climbed Mount Victoria with Den and her super cool husband Tim. We have all become great buddies. Tim and I have a few things in common. Some of you may know that I am quite
fond of ping pong. I’m so lucky because so is 
Tim! Here we are after a wonderful afternoon session at the Karori Campus at Victoria University studying – the art of table tennis.
Thursday February 12th I joined Shahnaz and her boys on their school outing to Mount Kaukau. I climbed 2 mountains in 2 days. The kids were really great, and I got a chance to play music with many of them as we climbed the mountain with my strumstick. We had a lot of fun making up songs as we hiked. Some of the kids were getting so tired, but they said the music kept them going.
Integrating the Arts into the Classroom
I attended a thoroughly engaging and informative workshop about integrating music, dance, and the arts into the classroom. My terrific advisor Liz has some great connections. She herself led the dance workshop. It was a very inspirational day.
Stay tuned for more songs, adventures, and New Zealand images. So far, Kiwi life is treating me well. See you next time 🙂
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Seth Hoffman
Community Publishing will be publishing a Multimedia Book written and Illustrated by Seth Hoffman titled, Janie and the Hummingbird. Seth is a musician, artist and educator based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Follow his adventures here every Tuesday.
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