Our 2024 October program is designed into two phases: a preparation phase for young people to gain the skills and knowledge to travel and demonstrate respectful cultural exchange, and an action phase, where we travel to Aotearoa [New Zealand] and stay on a marae [Māori meeting grounds] with the permission of the whanau [family] of that whenua [land], in order to implement these learnings.
Cross-cultures Cross-Oceans
October 2024 Trip
Before leaving Australia
Six cultural resource development days focusing on painting, wood-burning, and carving traditional items like clapsticks, message sticks, coolamon, digging sticks, and spears for exchange with the Maori community.
Learning an acknowledgment to the Country.
Engaging in discussions with Maori individuals to understand their customs and protocols before the visit.
Learning local stories in fireside yarns to share in New Zealand Marae.
May to October 2024
“A highlight was being speaker on behalf of the group, and learning and reading the acknowledgements.”
- YLS Client, Cross-Culture Cross-oceans pilot program 2024
Arriving in new zealand
1 x night in Auckland - visit to the museum
Travel to Hokianga - residing for 6 days at the Marae
Powhiri (welcome) local elders and traditional owners
5 days of living, learning and exploring Maori cultural knowledge
Activities include: weaving, eeling, hangi preparations and hangi cooking, making bush medicines from native plants, learning the stories of the traditional gods of Maori people and their journey to New Zealand.
Day trips to culturally significant sites and tours.
October 27 - November 6 2024
