Opunake students receive kai, koha and kindness on Japan visit
From a small, coastal Taranaki town to the hussle and bussle of Tokyo, the contrast couldn't have been greater for the 41 students of Opunake High School (OHS) who toured Japan recently to play sports and learn about Japanese society and culture. In this article, Principal Andrea Hooper recounts the trip and the impact it had on her students. OHS were assited to include cultural elements in their itinerary with a grant from the Foundation's Student Sports Fund.
The Opunake students got to experience Japan's rich culture and heritage as well as its impressive modernity
Coming from a community of under 2000 people, landing in Tokyo was quite an experience for the students, but they were buzzing with excitement, eyes wide and eager to see everything. Our epic 12-day journey from our wee kura on the coast to awe inspiring Japan had begun.
We started the trip with a rip-roaring 1st XV game at Tokyo High School. Even though they were jetlagged and melting in the 30+ degrees heat, they still put on a valiant effort. We had several other sporting events with a winning game of rugby at Toyota Sports Centre against Eitoku High School, along with two basketball games against Hieizan High School.
To inspire our young athletes, we took them to see the Māori All Blacks and the Tall Ferns in action. The students’ former coach, Eva Langton, was playing for the Tall Ferns, so the mana and pride they experienced was exaggerated due to this real-life connection. Our ākonga (students) showed their appreciation for the Tall Ferns with a haka that rose the roof on the Ariake Arena.
Andrea: "...how they honoured us with kai, koha and kindness was not missed by any of the Opunake students."
Without a shadow of a doubt, the biggest highlight of the tour was sharing cultures with the schools we visited and their incredibly hospitable and high energy students.
One of the more memorable experiences for the students was a cultural exchange with Toyota Technical High School.
We played games, performed karakia, waiata and haka, taught the Japanese students poi and shared some of our kupu (words).
In return, the Toyota Technical High School students did a presentation about their school in English and gifted our students personalised name badges they had made themselves, which was such a special touch.
Our students were dumbstruck by the resources available on the campus. The fusion of traditional culture and modern skills being taught also really impressed them.
Andrea: "Without a shadow of a doubt the biggest highlight of the tour was sharing cultures with the diverse schools we visited..."
The aroha shared over delicious Japanese cuisine, sumo challenges, arm wrestles, dodgeball, tug of war and hundreds of group selfies built a foundation for friendships across the Pacific.
The amount of effort our exchange schools put into our visit and how they honoured us with kai, koha and kindness was not missed by any of the Opunake students.
Not to say that the theme parks, TeamLab, temples, Tokyo Sky Tree Tower, Spa land and shopping up a storm wasn’t exciting and eye-opening, too.
The TeamLab experience highlighted how Japan is a frontrunner in global technologies, with four huge immersive artworks allowing students to wander through beautiful digital representations of nature. While they were all really impressed, it was noted by several students that representing the natural world with technology would never replace the beauty of the real thing.
Andrea Hooper: "Each and every one of them was an ambassador for not only our kura and town, but Aotearoa."
I am so hugely proud of all of our tamariki. They held themselves with mana and dignity, honoured the customs and spiritual places they encountered, were humble in their interactions, but also played their sports with enthusiasm, good grace, huge energy and humour.
Each and every one of them was an ambassador for not only our kura and town, but Aotearoa.
This trip will live on in the memories of all. It has opened the eyes of many of our tamariki to the opportunities out there for young people who have dreams, values, ambitious attitudes, and are willing to grow beyond the bounds of Aotearoa and develop into good citizens of the world.
To all who helped realise this life changing tour, ka mihi matou ki a koe, we thank you all.
The Foundation's Sports Programme provides New Zealand sportspeople opportunities to grow more knowledgeable, connected and confident with Asia.
Our Student Sports Fund provides grants for secondary and tertiary students travelling to Asia for sports to include cultural activities to their itineraries.
