Learning outside the classroom: ITC students visit Te Tahawai Marae

ITC students learn how to weave flax and perform a traditional Maori song and dance at Te Tahawai Marae

A group of students from ITC’s South Auckland campus recently visited Te Tahawai Marae in Pakuranga to learn about Māori culture. The students are currently studying a cultural unit which requires them to research the many different cultures that are important to New Zealand’s tourism industry.

They were welcomed onto the marae with a traditional powhiri, followed by an engaging history lesson about the marae’s heritage. The group learned about the significance of some carvings and listened to stories that have been passed down from ancestors.

ITC tutor Cathy Alder said it was wonderful to see the students enjoy this special experience.

“As most of our students are from different parts of the world, this is sometimes their first time in a marae. This visit was a great insight into the beliefs and practices of Māori culture, as well as an insight as to how much this culture is a part of the New Zealand tourism industry,” says Cathy.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #15

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, New Zealand surpasses 3 million annual overseas visitors, new Easter Sunday trading laws announced, Air NZ reports record growth and much more.

TOP STORIES

Overseas visitors hit 3 million milestone

The number of overseas visitors to New Zealand surpassed 3 million for the first time ever late last week, Statistics New Zealand revealed. From July 2014 to July 2015, a record-breaking 3,002,982 visitors entered the country – a 7 per cent increase from the year before.

Statistics New Zealand population statistics senior manager Vina Callum said increased arrivals from markets such as Australia and China helped achieve this important milestone.

For more coverage about this milestone, and how it relates to the Tourism 2025 goals, see these statements from the Tourism Industry Association and Tourism New Zealand.

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