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JAN 30 – FEB 3, 2004
“Whaia e koe te iti kahurangi, ki te
hapai mo te tangata katoa.”
“Strengthening the hearts strengthens the
people.”
“Tena
koutou, tena koutou, tena no tatou katoa / Greetings, greetings,
greetings to us all.”
Not many sleeps now till we meet at Papakura Marae, so here is a final
mail out to give a bit more detail & some reminders.
At this point in time we are expectant of 70 participants.
This is likely to vary with enquiries continuing to be
received and queries over visas from some (Let us hold them in the
light of transformation). AVPers are
coming from: England, Ireland, Norway, Canada, USA, Thailand,
Australia, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa & India.
There is room yet for more.
While there is a clear sense of a solid group gathering,
there is also some fluidness with arrangements still to be
finalised and choices yet to be settled. Kei te pai / All is well.
We here in AVPAotearoa are looking forward to us all being
together and having the pleasure of returning the warmth we have
received at Gatherings in other lands.
Thanks to all of us for working to make this happen – for
the commitment to be here; the travel to get here; the supportive
input and preparations for the IG & the trainings afterwards.
Weather:
It will be our summer and the weather forecasters predict less
ozone cover and therefore an increase in the ‘fierceness’ of
the sun’s rays. Please
be sure to bring sunglasses, hats and sunscreen.
Workshops will be held under cover.
There may be insects in the cooler evenings, so bring
insect repellent. There
are grass areas around the marae where we can enjoy a stroll.
Meals:
We have two lovely caterers – Ray & Sue who appreciate
knowing the special dietary needs and are very capable of looking
after us all with our support.
Money: It is
recommended that foreign currency be exchanged for NZ dollars at
the airport or downtown Papakura.
There are no ATMs at or in walking distance to the marae.
Payment made at the IG for registrations, staying on
Waiheke, T-shirts and trainings need to be in NZ dollars.
Please be mindful that we are all responsible for our
personal belongings. e.g.
passport, money, etc…
AVPA
T-Shirts:
Thank you for the pre-orders which are being printed as I type.
T-Shirts are a personal cost and not included in
registrations paid by FWCC or AVPA regions.
Hosting:
Some hosting is offered to those who want to travel around before
or after the IG – please make contact with Peter Watson pbiet@clear.net.nz
for details.
Agenda
Part
of the fluidness referred to above relates to the agenda. The invitation from AVPAotearoa is to consider this
International Gathering as though it were an AVP Workshop to
remind us that we learn from doing, use consensus and work
together in teams. Being
mindful of the theme, how do we best strengthen our hearts and
that of AVP, in our localities and internationally?
And like any AVP workshop, when feedback is given changes can
and do occur.
Day
One
- We start workshops with team building / powhiri and community
building / whanaungatanga.
Present the opening talks /Kaupapa & Kawa to remind us
of the principles that bind us.
(We are also expecting people for whom the AVP is a new
experience). Set
up our Rights & Responsibilities for agreement and lay our
foundation of trust & respect upon which to build and
strengthen our relationships.
Make preparations for day two.
Evening activities.
Closing.
Day
Two
– Duties – Perhaps we may continue as a whole group, with
community building. Have
a Gathering together. Consider
the issues facing AVP as an international organisation. Decide on the number of workshops and topics for next 2 days
of workshops. Choose
topics for the workshops and allow facilitators to volunteer for
international teams and take time to team build and prepare.
There may still be a workshop for new attendants (the visa
matters will help determine this).
Many of us attending are experienced AVP facilitators.
Suggested
Topics
– Facilitating outside of own culture – AVP in war zones –
Non-verbal exercises – Peer Mentor Groups – Upskilling with
Role Play – Transcultural Exercises – Dealing with cultural
conflicts – AVP issues – Strengthening hearts, strengthening
people – Cultural perspectives of Transforming Power – Using
stories in AVP Workshops – Adaptive AVP including people with
disabilities in workshops & leadership – Keeping hearts
strong wherever AVP is introduced – Survival Exercise…
(I
am in a privileged position of being able to suggest topics that
may resonate with others.
Some topics listed are through me and some from others.
It will be our collective responsibility to decide what to
provide and volunteer ourselves to do so. I invite us all to consider the process of building
international teams of 3 or 4 with regard to strengthening hearts
& AVP.
Day
Three
– Duties. One day workshops with international teams.
Evening activities.
Closing.
Day
Four
– Duties. One day workshops with international teams.
Evening activities.
Closing.
Day
Five
– Duties. Completions.
Evaluations. Poroporoaki
/ Farewells. Closing.
Marae
& Maori concepts:
As a quick way of providing information on an introduction to the marae
& concepts of maori, the publications “Te Marae – A Guide
to Customs & Protocol” by Hiwi & Pat Tauroa and “The
Maori Experience of Aotearoa” by Haare Williams have been used.
For those interested Museums and libraries provide much
more information. Please
print your own copy of the information on following pages to read
before you arrive as we will only have a few copies to give out at
the gate.
Daily
Duties:
Daily
duties will give us more teamwork and community building
experience: we will be setting tables for meals; clearing tables;
washing, drying & putting away dishes; helping to prepare food
for meals; setting up workshop spaces & clearing away afterwards; security of
marae & and our belongings; cleaning toilets & showers.
Each team may have a different duty to attend to each day.
Evening
Activities:
Will allow us all to have more fun together. The following suggestions require volunteers to lead please.
*Story – telling (thanks to volunteers Sunflower Sandy
& Tale telling Tom).
*Cultural songs.
*Playback theatre, Skits, Puppetry
*Cultural dances, Circle dancing
*Light & Livelies
Clean
up and depart from the marae. Everyone’s efforts throughout the
gathering will make this an easy task.
Thank you.
Waiheke
Island:
Between Feb 3 and Feb 6, there are a limited number of 14
(maximum) places available at Friends House, Palm Beach, Waiheke
Island. This
is a lovely place to rest and opportunity to be together prior to
the training workshops set for Feb 6 – Feb 8.
If you choose to go to Waiheke we can organise a shuttle
from the marae. Buses
& shuttles meet the ferry on Waiheke and can cost around $2 -
$5. Accommodation
is $10 per person per night and everyone will be asked to
contribute to the buying and preparation of food. We will now be vacating the premises on Feb 6th
by 10am. Buses
are timed to meet the ferries which sail on the hour.
A copy of the ferry timetable will be available at the IG
Waitangi
Day:
Feb 6 is the day of remembrance, challenge, acknowledgement of the
signing of te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi.
We encourage members to attend events where they can.
There will be a public event at Papakura Marae.
Training
Workshops:
We are choosing to provide a combined AdvT4F (AdvT4T) /
T4TL (Training Lead Facilitators) workshop in Auckland and a T4F
(T4T) workshop in Ngaruawahia just north of Hamilton. These
are wonderful opportunities for us to share training styles,
methods and structures.
Training cost has been reduced – refunds will be given to
those who have already paid at the original price, when checking
in for the IG. Please
note that AVPAotearoa members are arranging teams.
Thank you to those expressing interest.
AdvT4F
(AdvT4T)/ T4TL (Training for Team Leaders):
For those who have their T4F (T4T) certification.
Aspects of T4TL will be incorporated.
The live in venue limits our numbers to 24 including the
team. We are
looking forward to a wide variety of input from those present.
Those travelling from Waiheke can meet at Friend’s House,
113/115 Mt Eden Road at 2.45pm and travel out with the team to the
venue. Others
will need to find their own way.
If you need overnight accommodation for Feb 8th please
advise Rere.
Venue:
Chosen Valley Christian Camp, Turner Road, Ramarama, Auckland.
Cost:
Accommodation & meals = NZ$70 per person
Team:
Peter Watson, Max Robati, & Elaine Dyer.
Starts: Friday
6th 4 pm registration & settle in. 4.30pm the Group Gathers.
(Tea at 5.30pm)
Finishes:
Sunday 8th
4pm
T4F
(T4T) AVP Facilitator
training.
Those attending from AVPAotearoa will need to have attended a
Basic & an Advanced workshop to be accepted. Others coming from elsewhere must understand that we
are not looking to circumvent the criteria for facilitator
training in their country of origin.
This is a live in venue – numbers are limited to 16
including the team. International
participants can be billeted prior to this event and transport to
the venue arranged.
Venue:
Christian Youth Camp, Ngaruawahia
Cost:
accommodation & meals = NZ$70 per person.
Team:
Rere Stroud, Ellen Flanders, Lowana Crawford, Vivienne Aubrey.
Starts:
Friday 6th 2pm
(lunch for Frid. not provided)
Finishes:
Sunday 8th 4pm
Please
contact Rere for training enquiries.
AVPAotearoa
website:
available at www.avpaotearoa.org.nz
Naumai
Haere mai / Come, you are welcome
Arohanui
/ God’s Breath
Rainbow
Rere
Korero
atawhai – Helpful words and concepts
Maori
– Indigenous People of Aotearoa
Maori
people regard themselves as tangata whenua, ‘people of the
land’ or ‘caretakers of the land’.
Tangata
Whenua – People of the Land.
Tangata
whenua are the hosts of the marae extending hospitality to
visitors. Tangata
whenua speak first and in turn offer space and time for visitors
to respond.
Pakeha
– People of European descent.
This
is the word for people of British/European descent living in
Aotearoa/New Zealand whose ancestors are a part of our colonial
history.
Tauiwi
– Those of other cultures who live in Aotearoa
Aotearoa/New
Zealand is now host to many cultures who came after the signing of
the Treaty of Waitangi.
Manuhiri
– Visitors
This
word means “the bird that has flown here bearing the love
message of Papatuanuku/Earth Mother and Ranginui/Sky Father”.
Manuhiri
tuarangi
Those
visitors who have come from far away – both within Aotearoa and
further still as with many you who are coming to the IG.
Marae
– The Complex
In
bygone days the marae was the space immediately in front of the
chief’s principle house.
Today the marae usually consists of a wharenui/meeting
house, marae atea/courtyard, whare kai/dining hall, and nowadays
there is often a Kohanga Reo/Language nest as in the case of
Papakura Marae.
Wharenui
– Meeting House
This
house is the social, cultural and spiritual hearth of the people.
Carved or not, it is the physical extension of an ancestor;
it has a name and the house is the body.
Inside is the womb of the ancestor, supported by the ribs
and a strong backbone.
This is a sacred place of learning; of worship; of
hospitality.
It
is regarded as the domain of Rongomaitane – the God of Peaceful
pursuits and a place where women freely speak.
Tapu
– Sacredness
Everyone
has with them their own tapu/sacredness.
When coming onto a marae for the first time one is
recognised as waewae tapu/sacred feet – the first footsteps onto
the marae. The
powhiri/welcome brings the sacredness of everyone together.
Whare
kai – Dining Hall
A
house of hospitality and the complementary opposite of the
wharenui. Here
things are regarded as noa/ordinary.
Kai is food.
Hui –
Gathering
A
hui/gathering applies to all reasons for coming together for big
groups or small. Being
held on a marae gives mana/status to the hui.
 The
powhiri is often reserved for special visitors – as with this
occasion of the AVP International Gathering.
Te
Whakaeke – Arrival
Visitors
arrive before a given time (in this case 10am). The group assembles outside the marae gates where the
kai korero/speakers, waiata/songs and koha/gift are sorted out.
The koha is placed in a single envelope and held (out of
sight, usually one’s pocket) by whoever it is decided will be
the final speaker. While
gathering together it is usual to greet all others at the gate
whether people know each other or not.
A hariru/handshake is appropriate.
During this time it is permissible to talk quietly as this
is regarded as a settling down process.
Loudness in any form is not appropriate.
The group as a whole walk together onto the marae at the
keening call of women.
Te
Karanga – The Call
The
first voice from the marae is the call of the kai karanga /
caller. This is
exclusive to women and is first issued from tangata whenua as a
call of welcome guiding manuhiri to come forward. When
it is known (as in this case) that manuhiri cannot return the
karanga, tangata whenua send someone to be with the visitors to
give support to kai whakautu/return the karanga and guide the
steps to be taken through the powhiri.
Whai
korero – Speeches
Speeches
on the marae atea are delivered by men, this being the domain of
Tumatauenga – God of War.
Traditional greeting/mihi is made to the land, buildings,
ancestors, the living, loved ones and the theme and reason for the
gathering. Visitors
may wish to acknowledge tangata whenua, common events we have a
connection through (e.g. other International Gatherings),
ancestors of AVP and this IG.
It is permissible for this powhiri that people speak in
their own language.
Waiata
– Songs
The
waiata/song supports what is said by the speaker and reflects the
unity of the group, be that manuhiri or tangata whenua.
The waiata is lead by the women and it is permitted for
this occasion to share a song in one’s own language.
Koha
– Gift
The
giving of koha stems from the tradition of bringing gifts –
usually food –today it is more appropriate to give money that
tangata whenua can put to best use. At the end of speeches and
waiata, the final speaker from the visiting group places an
envelope containing money onto the marae.
In NZ$$s our $1 & $2 coins are gold in colour – We
invite you to ‘gift’ a gold coin.
If you wish to do so you may contribute more.
Whatever contributions of koha are made it is encouraged
that doing so comes from one’s heart.
This is considered personal and private.
This particular koha will be given to AVPA because a koha
to the marae will already have been made on behalf of us all.
The koha will be received with a karanga from tangata
whenua and brings to a close korero from manuhiri.
Te
Tutakitanga – Physical contact
Direction
will be given for manuhiri to go forward to hariru/shake hands,
hug or hongi with tangata whenua.
Whether you hariru, hongi, hug or do all three is entirely
up to you at the time.
We trust people will feel culturally comfortable whatever
their choice. The
action of performing hongi is associated with the hariru.
The two people shake hands, each using the right hand.
At the same time the left hand maybe placed on or near the
other person’s shoulder.
The head is bent, the eyes closed, and sometimes foreheads
touch as noses are pressed Some choose to press once and some twice – both ways
are of equal significance.
Invariably, tangata whenua will indicate their kawa/ways by
example. It is appropriate to say “tena koe”/”hello to
you” or “kia ora”/”greetings” as part of the greeting.
In this greeting our ancestors meet as we meet and together
we share the breath of life.
This physical contact between manuhiri and tangata whenua
completes lifts the waewae tapu/sacredness of first time visitors,
allowing us all to be one, as tangata whenua for the duration of
this Gathering. The
running of the marae, for the time of our stay, is now ours to
share.
The
powhiri ends with the sharing of a meal together.
Please take note that throughout the powhiri, taking photos
is not acceptable and cell phones are expected to be switched off.
Whanaugatanga
Whanaungatanga- Extended family
The
process of whanaungatanga – of extending kinship ties, allows
each person the right to stand and introduce themselves to the
whole group. It is equivalent
to an introductory AVP gathering.
In so speaking, everyone’s presence is noted and
honoured along with the ancestors that stand with that person,
albeit unseen. Maori
introduce themselves naming their ancestral connections to maunga/mountains,
awa/rivers & waterways, whenua/land, marae, iwi/people and the
means by which their iwi came to Aotearoa.
Everyone coming to the IG may use this form of introducing
themselves. This
process allows us to discover ancestral connections to each other,
some of which may go back many centuries and even to find places
of commonality where we have met before.
Tikanga
Maori / Kawa o te Marae – Our
ways of doing things / the ways of the marae
©
Alcohol,
drugs & smoking are not permitted within the gates of the
marae.
©
We
remove shoes before entering the wharenui / main house.
©
Eating
& drinking are not permitted in the wharenui – this includes
water bottles & chewing gum.
©
Stepping
over people is not appropriate.
©
Walking
on bedding and sitting on pillows is not appropriate.
©
Modesty
in dress and personal behaviour is expected.
©
Sitting
on items designated for preparing, serving or eating of food
(tables/benches) is not acceptable.
©
Mixing
of cleaning items between toilets/showers & kitchen/dining
room is not acceptable.
©
Taking
personal toiletries into the kitchen/dining area is not
acceptable.
©
Washing
personal clothing in hand basins is not appropriate – there are
laundromats down town.
Wharenui/Main
House:
Everyone
sleeps together in the wharenui.
It is requested that men sleep on one side of the wharenui
& women on the other. The
floor is carpeted and mattresses & pillows are provided with 1
sheet & a pillowcase.
We have arranged to have blankets available for
international participants and request that locals bring their
own. It may be
useful to have ear plugs!
Poroporoaki
Poroporoaki
– Farewells
The
poroporoaki or speech of farewell is as important as the powhiri
and speeches of welcome.
This usually takes place after the final meal of the
gathering. For
our Gathering this will be lunch on Feb 3. The process is given to manuhiri to begin and is an
opportunity for expressions of affirmation and appreciation
followed again with waiata/songs that tend to have a light-hearted
flavour. Tangata
whenua then have their opportunity to affirm and acknowledge the
gathering and everyone’s involvement.
The poroporoaki will be completed with a karakia/blessing.
Those
of us remaining will have the duty of ensuring the marae is left
in an order that honours the mana of the marae and the service
provided to us by being there.
Warm
Regards…Rainbow Rere
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