Nexus 24 2015

NEXUS MAGAZINE Columns
HE PUNA KŌRERO
Te Pua Wānanga
ki Te Ao Showcase
Taha Tangitu-Huata
Ko te tangata, ko te tangata, ko te tangata.
From ice cold hoodie weather we are currently witnessing the
progression into warmer welcoming spring climates, warm enough
to open the double sliding doors in Te Whare Tapere Ito, only to be
welcomed by the sound of 90+ students preparing for their end
of semester final performance assessment being held on Thursday
the 15th of October, in the Gallagher Performing Arts Theatre on
campus, but wait, it’s not all about leisure pursuits of the Māori.
With a collaboration of slam poetry, Kapa Haka and a fusion of
contemporary and traditional Māori arts and instruments, we
present the bi-semester Te Pua Wānanga ki Te Ao showcase. An
exhilarating cultural experience written, designed, produced and
delivered by students. A whole semester’s effort coming to fruition.
However on a more serious note, these papers are seeing an
obvious increase of interest from our Māori students as well as
our foreign counterparts who are choosing electives way out of
there comfort zones, while enduring mental stimulation including
spiritual growth this also allows for social development on all levels
including extending their Facebook friends list through to gaining
the right communication skills to talk to any Tom, Dick and Harry.
What better way to roll through your B-semester, have some good
laughs while breaking a sweat or two, as well as hoping no one
smells your hungover alcohol breath. You get an opportunity to
learn about collective development, mental capacity growth, social
skills along with learning how to line up and shut the trap and make
sure you know your words and actions. Ultimately though these
students have just opened their eyes to another diverse world,
through the Māori performing arts.
Nevertheless it should be an exciting evening so come along and
join the fun, after all it’s free.
NEW LOCALS – KORERO MAI TĀWĀHI
Diary of an
Outsider
Shalini Guleria
Entry Three: 4th October 2015
It’s been one year, three months and ten days since I arrived here.
Quite precise, I know.
I still remember the long 16 hour journey; cramped seating,
average food and how can I forgot the lady who rested on my
shoulder for the entire flight? Despite the unpleasant conditions
I faced, taking my first steps in this country relieved all the stress.
I wanted to be here and I finally was. But soon my excitement
was captured by feelings of insecurity; being out of place because,
basically, I missed my country. Whenever I compared my home to
NZ, obviously NZ won and it made sense because this country
is amazing and I can’t fault it. But still despite how polluted,
crowded, and dysfunctional my home was, I missed it.
After one year, I still miss my home and as soon as I save enough
money I will go back, but one thing has changed: I don’t feel like
an outsider. It’s true that I still have my funky accent but everyone
loves it. I haven’t changed, yet I have been accepted by everyone.
All my insecurities, self doubt, feelings of being a minority have
been erased and my system is rebooted. I feel like I belong.
Now when I go to uni, I smile and walk with my head raised, proud
to be who I am. Yeah, I still need to do the budgeting and I do get
sad when my mum cries over the phone, but hey - life is still pretty
good. My journey to New Zealand has taught me many things, but
one main thing that I have learnt is to change any impossibility to
a possibility. I have gained a different outlook on life and finally
learnt to be free and fearless.
Okay, on a personal note... and this is quite personal, I saw this
beautiful girl today! Before you get any ideas, I am a decent bloke
and I don’t compliment girls just like that, but she was gorgeous. It
was quite embarrassing, I kept looking at her. What is happening
to me? Never felt this way before. Hope I see her again. And no I
don’t Facebook stalk, haha.
Anyway, I can happily say that I love it here and I wouldn’t change
a thing!
30 N.24 / V.47 SUMMER