International Day of Friendship – 30 July

Written by Lis Roche.

Did you know that 30 July is the International Day of Friendship?

Ten years ago, the United Nations General Assembly decided this friendship day should be a global thing – to recognize “that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and presents an opportunity to build bridges between communities, honouring cultural diversity” (United Nations General Assembly, 2011, p. 1).

In short, friendship builds respect, tolerance and understanding between people and groups.

So, what’s here at Ara to help students to build friendships? Check out the links and ideas below.

Social friends: Perhaps you want to be part of the Ara student volunteer army? Or join others for tramping, soccer or gaming? Or meet others who are passionate about all things Japanese? Maybe you want to meet other Pacific, Maori, Filipino, Christian, or Rainbow students? Or learn leadership or communication skills using the teachings of humanistic Buddhism? Check out the Student clubs and groups on MyAra.

Virtual friends: If you want to keep up with events happening at Ara and things to do around Canterbury, join the Ara Student Plug In, “A page for students, by students”; check out Ara’s official Facebook page; read ‘Waha Kōrero’, the Ara student magazine; or keep an eye on the MyAra student events page and Ara events page.

Study friends: And if you want to focus on your study (and isn’t that what you signed up to do here at Ara?!) then talk to your classmates about setting up a study group, or check out whether there is a PASS study group already set up.

If you want to find out about more groups, events, supports and ways of meeting other students, visit MyAra for information on Student Life , Personal Support, and Health and wellbeing.

Matariki blog #3/3: Mahinga kai ki Wairewa – tuna eels

Brought to you by Dora Langsbury from the Learning Services.

Wairewa is the Ngāi Tahu settlement on the banks of Te Roto o Wairewa Lake Forsyth in the village of Little River over on Banks Peninsula. Mahinga kai was the Ninth Tall Tree of the Ngāi Tahu treaty settlement that was negotiated to ensure that the iwi could feed their families and put food on the table for themselves and their children after them. The local whānau and hapū of Wairewa have traditionally harvested pātiki flounder, īnanga whitebait and tuna eel from this roto lake.

January to April local whānau come from all over the world to participate in the Tuna Heke eel migration harvest. The tuna drains are dug in the shingle pits near the lake opening at Birdlings Flat. Tuna are gaffed out of the drains at night assisted by torch light. In the morning the tuna is cleaned then hung and bled. The tuna is often smoked to preserve it for eating later in the year.

Since 1860 the lake has been closed off from the ocean and has become a sink collecting sediment and nutrient run off from the surrounding deforested hills. The lake has become shallower and warmer with increased salinity resulting in blue green algae blooms. In 2005-6 there was a particularly large bloom that killed 2000 tuna. The rūnaka lobbied to have a permanent opening established and this has improved the water quality within the lake.

Watch the video below to hear the story of tuna from the people who affiliate at Wairewa rūnaka.

Matariki blog #2/3: Mahinga kai ki Taumutu – pātiki flounder

Brought to you by Dora Langsbury from the Learning Services.

Our Ngāi Tahu settlement next to Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere is called Taumutu. The mahinga kai (food gathered at this place) that is most prized by local Māori from this lake is pātiki flounder and tuna eels. Te Waihora is considered to be the fish basket of Rākaihautū. Ngāi Tahu received the ownership of the lakebed as part of its treaty settlement.

Unfortunately, Te Waihora is considered to be the most polluted lake in Aotearoa New Zealand. Only a generation ago the lake water was clear and you could see the pātiki and tuna swimming and use a patu club to catch them. The local rūnaka tribal council has entered into a joint management agreement to improve the conditions of the lake so that their mokopuna grandchildren will still be able to catch and eat their mahinga kai. Watch the video below to hear the story of pātiki from the people who affiliate at Taumutu rūnaka.