Volunteering at a Marae:

It's a rainy afternoon in Dunedin, New Zealand so I decided to update you guys on my day volunteering at a Marae. A marae is a sacred place and is an important part of New Zealand culture. My day was all about kaitiakitanga (guarding the environment).The day started with a Pōwhiri - the welcoming onto the Marae and morning tea of course. After, the real work started.We potted native plants that would later be planted to benefit the whenua (land). After that we had kai (food), which by the way was the best food I have ever had. Also, I tried lamb for the first time! It was delicious. Next, after our afternoon tea we planted plants and bushes on the Otago peninsula for blue penguins to have a place to nest their eggs. This was part of a two piece project to help the endangered native animal.Then, after working outside all day, we got to unwind and learn how to do some flax weaving - I made a bracelet! before kai again. The whole day definitely left me with a feel good moment knowing I was able to give back to the land this beautiful country has to offer.