Raglan

We just spent the last four days in Raglan, which as definitely been my favorite place we have stayed thus far. Raglan is a quaint beach town located on the west coast of New Zealand that has a very eco-friendly, tight-knit community. We spent our days hearing from passionate community members who each contribute something unique to the community. One day we visited Xtreme Waste, the town’s recycling center that was implemented by Rick, a local, because the county Raglan is in insisted on exporting all of their trash and recycling. Rick, and various other community members, decided to take a stand and insist on saving transportation costs and improving the local economy and went through many loopholes and governmental processes get the permission to implement this system. Not only does it keep the money within the community by providing local jobs, but it raises immense awareness among community members about the importance of recycling. Over 75% of Raglan’s “waste” is recycling, an inspiring rate that I think the states should strive towards. The recycling center has a consignment store, a wood center that has wood scraps, and other areas with metal scraps and other various items that one person within the community considered “waste” but may be picked up by another individual and seen as a useful treasure.

            We also visited Rick’s farm that he runs with his wife and learned about permaculture, which has a lot to do with being in touch with the earth. It was amazing to hear about them being able to tell weather patterns based on nature, for example they knew when a rain was coming soon because the buzz of the bees sounded different. I think it was astounding to learn how they could live so sustainably. Most of the food in their kitchen came from their farm. When they had kids, Rick decided to plant a forest so that when their son grew up he could build a house (from that wood). I’ve never heard of such a thing, and I think it takes very special people to do what they are doing on their farm. It definitely makes me look at the lifestyles of many Americans with a more critical eye. I think that there are so many little things that people can do that would help the environmental and ultimately save them money that are not being done in the states. For example, bringing your own coffee cup to get your morning cup of coffee requires a little extra thought in the morning, and sure you have to wash it everyday, but I know there are many places that give you a small discount if you take the time to save a disposable cup from going to the dump.

            We also had some nice down time, which was filled with walks and runs along the beach, and enjoying sunsets, more spontaneous dips in the ocean, as well as the hot tub at the hostel we were staying at. One afternoon a few friends and I rented kayaks and kayaked across the bay to these awesome rocks called “pancake rocks”, which looked exactly as they sound. It was fun exploring them and going in and out of little inlets that the rocks created along the coastline. 

            Today also marks two weeks since I arrived in New Zealand. It’s hard to believe I’ve only been here two weeks and I’ve already done and learned so much. I’ve been exposed to so many inspiring speakers and have had so many rich conversations with my directors and peers. I feel like I’m starting to develop a different outlook on environmental issues and gaining a better understanding of what I may want to do with my life. I want to somehow incorporate biology, my concentration, into environmental studies. I think that it would be awesome to do field world for an environmental company to study the current conditions to get a better idea of what we can do in the future to better certain environmental issues and again use science to measure the progress. We are headed to Lake Taupo for the next four nights, and from what I understand is a bigger town that depends a lot on eco-tourism. (We also get to spend a day and night on a farm, which I’m really excited for!)

P.S. I ALSO PURCHASED TICKETS FOR THE ALL BLACKS VS. AUSTRALIA GAME IN OCTOBER IN DUNEDIN!!

We are well underway into our second week in this country. My group spent the last three days in Cambridge, which is a quaint town inland on the North Island. After no heating or beds for five days at the Waharau Reserve, it was definitely nice to have central heating, an indoor bathroom, and stationary beds with sheets. Our stay was filled with lectures from Waikato Region (where Cambridge is located) government officials, as well as environmentalists who work in a variety of fields.

            One day we ventured to Maungatautari, a forested volcano cone and reserve that is the sacred mountain of the Ngati Koroki Kahukura people. We were hosted at the Pohara marea (a marea is a Maori meeting house that each Maori community has) in Maungatautari. We were welcomed at a powhiri, which a meeting ceremony. I was one of the three “callers” in our group. An elder woman, who was a member of the Pohara marae started chanting as we slowly approached her and the rest of the members of the marae. Me, and two other girls in my group stood in front of our group and took turns singing verses in the native language of Maori. We then sat facing the members of the marea and sang songs back and forth and one of our teachers is Maori and is fluent in the language so he spoke traditional verses to them. They were impressed by the few songs that we sung, which we learned at the last place we stayed. We then had tea with them and learned more about their particular Marae and discussed the journey of co-governance between the Maori and Kiwi’s (the rest of New Zealand). New Zealand is currently trying to reconcile their relationship with the Maori and give them back land that was originally taken away by original settlers. We spent that same afternoon at the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust and hiked around while learning about the Trust from an environmental educator.

           It has been really interesting to learn about all of the environmental issues in New Zealand. New Zealand eco-tourism motto is “100 Percent Pure”, showing beautiful images of the landscapes. However, we have been learning that astounding amounts of land have been cleared for dairy farming, and other agricultural use, and the rolling green hills were in fact once dense forests that were cleared for farming practices. It’s been eye-opening to hear from members of the parliament and other government bodies and learn about different initiatives and organizations that have come to be to combat the degrading ecosystems. We are headed to Raglan next, which I heard is a beach town very similar to Stinson Beach (a little beach town near me in California). I’m excited to see what our next leg of our “field trip through the North Island” holds. 

        I can’t believe that I’ve only been in this country for six days so far. I feel like so much has happened and I’ve had so many new experiences. I became acquainted with my study abroad group in Auckland last Monday evening (after exploring Auckland with a few members of my group who arrived early) as we enjoyed a Mexican meal out. I, thinking I wouldn’t have Mexican food in New Zealand, had Mexican food four days in a row before I left the states. My group is an eclectic group of individuals from all over the United States, and one from China who are all generally studying Environmental Studies with varying concentrations (There are 16 of us total). We spent Tuesday beginning our introduction to New Zealand and learning some Maori traditions. One of which included learning a “Hongi” where you touch your nose to another persons nose as you ‘breath life into the other person’. I, being clumsy, was the demonstration and accidentally head-butted one of our teachers…whoops. We then ventured to a beautiful beach called Karekare on the west coast of Auckland and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon walking around and exploring and a few of us spontaneously jumped into the ocean.
          Wednesday we left the bustling city and headed for the Waharau Reserve(which is near Thames) a little south of Auckland on the coast. We spent the rest of the week having lectures on Maori history and New Zealand ecology in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings, as well as learning traditional Maori songs, which we would sing to our various guests throughout the week. We spent our free time exploring the maze of trails behind our cabins, walking down to the water, and going on runs along the coast. We have attempted many times to watch Lord of the Rings since it was filmed here, however due to jetlag and our packed days I don’t think I’ve lasted longer than 20 minutes into any film.

We also took a fun side day-trip on Saturday to Thames, which is an established town close by. We explored a hopping farmers market in the morning set up in front of shops on the main road, followed by a lecture from a guest speaker named Catherine, who is a member of the Green Team parliament in New Zealand and who has participated in various conservation peaceful protests. We also got to participate in a wonderful Maori tree plating tradition for one of our professors father’s who recently passed away. It involved everyone in our group holding a piece of dirt in their left hand, because the Maori believe that the left half of the body is the ‘loving side’. Peter, our professor, and his two siblings who were also present held the dirt in their right hand because the right side of the body is the side that likes to ‘hold on’. We all released the dirt from our right hand on the new tree’s bed, as our dirt symbolized reaching out and supporting Peter and his siblings through this difficult time, while Peter and his siblings release of dirt onto the new tree symbolized becoming at peace with their father’s passing. It was a beautiful ceremony and it really felt special to be a part of it. On another note, that night we all ventured to a local sports pub in Thames and watched the All Blacks defeat Argentina as we hung out with the local rugby club, which consisted of old men past their prime who still enjoyed playing for the thrill of the sport. As a rugby player, it was really fun to be amidst others who understood the sport and were as invested as I was in each play.

Thus far, the beauty of this country has amazed me, as well as all of the wonderful people we have met. Tomorrow we are traveling to Cambridge where we’ll hear from more individuals involved in the government and learn more about agriculture in New Zealand, especially dairy farming. Throughout the next four weeks, we’ll be visiting Cambridge, Raglan, Lake Taupo, Turangi, Mt. Ruapehu, Whakapapa Tongariro National Park, Whanganui, and Palmerston North before our spring break (when I hope to visit the South Island) and our eight week homestay in Wellington.