Maori Learning Center

We were lucky enough to be able to spend a weekend at at Maori Learning Center, a few weeks ago.

Kerry, Roka and their family are some of the kindest, warmest and giving people we have encountered here in New Zealand. We spent the weekend learning about their story of being Maori, their language and beliefs. We ate together and spoke of politics, raising of children and of Mother Earth. We learned how to weave, while watching children run around playing.

The girls ran around the country with other kids, played with puppies, ate mutton bird and were lucky enough to ride horses. Leah got to ride one of the horses on the road home!

Ricky, who is Roka & Kerry's son, has taken over running the center and is also a jack of all trades. He is an artist, the main cook, hunter, and keeps the place running. Ricky and his daughters were very gracious to arrange to time for the girls to go and ride the horses. Ricky is telling Sophia how to greet and talk to the horse before climbing on for a ride.