Comments for SMC Orchestra in New Zealand! http://smcnz.edublogs.org The Orchestra's adventures in Rotorua (29th June-5th July 2009) Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:00:14 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 Comment on Finally!! by Christine Rehe http://smcnz.edublogs.org/2009/07/03/finally/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Christine Rehe Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:00:14 +0000 http://smcnz.edublogs.org/?p=8#comment-3 Kia ora Mr Wouters and the young ladies from St Mary's orchestra, My daughter Jade will be commencing Year 7 at St Mary's in 2010, and I couldn't help but respond to your blog, as Jade has cultural links to Rotorua through me (her mum), and it is my kainga (home). I can see that you all enjoyed the 'tiki tour' of Rotorua, known not only for its reknowned smell of sulphur but also as a tidy town. It's a shame that you only experienced the hospitality of my people via a tourist performance, as there is so much more to it. Unfortunately, Tamaki Village has faced some criticism from the local Māori iwi (people), but this commodification of Māori culture is often the only way tourist Pakeha (Europeans) can experience our culture. Some key Māori concepts, values and philosophies are very similar to St Mary's values; Manaakitanga - the relationship between people is one of caring and sharing, of helping one another as a family. Aroha - as an extension of manaakitanga, is the concept of love in its widest sense. It can mean respect, concern, hospitality and the process of giving. Thus every person is concerned for and respects the rights of others. Tūrangawaewae - literally this means a place to stand, indicating rights and obligations to a certain place. It is a situational identity that gives a person through their whakapapa (genealogy) a right to say humbly, "I am because I belong". Whanaungatanga - means extended kinship ties. All those people who belong to the marae can trace their whakapapa to the marae and the ancestor it portrays. Manaaki kaumātua - respect for elders. All elders are to be respected, cared for and acknowledged. They are respected for their wise counsel and because they have been responsible for the continuation of life. I hope you have an enjoyable and safe trip! Haere atu Christine Rehe Kia ora Mr Wouters and the young ladies from St Mary’s orchestra,

My daughter Jade will be commencing Year 7 at St Mary’s in 2010, and I couldn’t help but respond to your blog, as Jade has cultural links to Rotorua through me (her mum), and it is my kainga (home).

I can see that you all enjoyed the ‘tiki tour’ of Rotorua, known not only for its reknowned smell of sulphur but also as a tidy town. It’s a shame that you only experienced the hospitality of my people via a tourist performance, as there is so much more to it. Unfortunately, Tamaki Village has faced some criticism from the local Māori iwi (people), but this commodification of Māori culture is often the only way tourist Pakeha (Europeans) can experience our culture.

Some key Māori concepts, values and philosophies are very similar to St Mary’s values;

Manaakitanga – the relationship between people is one of caring and sharing, of helping one another as a family.

Aroha – as an extension of manaakitanga, is the concept of love in its widest sense. It can mean respect, concern, hospitality and the process of giving. Thus every person is concerned for and respects the rights of others.

Tūrangawaewae – literally this means a place to stand, indicating rights and obligations to a certain place. It is a situational identity that gives a person through their whakapapa (genealogy) a right to say humbly, “I am because I belong”.

Whanaungatanga – means extended kinship ties. All those people who belong to the marae can trace their whakapapa to the marae and the ancestor it portrays.

Manaaki kaumātua – respect for elders. All elders are to be respected, cared for and acknowledged. They are respected for their wise counsel and because they have been responsible for the continuation of life.

I hope you have an enjoyable and safe trip!

Haere atu

Christine Rehe

]]> Comment on Finally!! by Mr Elliott http://smcnz.edublogs.org/2009/07/03/finally/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Mr Elliott Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:27:27 +0000 http://smcnz.edublogs.org/?p=8#comment-2 Hi Mr Wouters, It sounds like you and the girls are having a great time, and the people of New Zealand are having an even greater time thanks to your music. Please let the girls know I have been thinking about them and praying for their success. I can't wait to hear the stories from you and the orchestra upon your return. Mr Elliott Hi Mr Wouters,

It sounds like you and the girls are having a great time, and the people of New Zealand are having an even greater time thanks to your music.

Please let the girls know I have been thinking about them and praying for their success.

I can’t wait to hear the stories from you and the orchestra upon your return.

Mr Elliott

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