Week One Reflections

Kia Ora!

Week 1 is done! And what an incredible first week in Kaikoura it has been! The 6 of us have pretty much adjusted to New Zealand life and are enjoying the pursuit of a Kiwi lifestyle. We also finished our first class, Te Reo, which was quite the immersive experience as we learned Hakas, mihimihis (introductions), and everything else one would need to present an authentic Te Reo Whaikorero (speech). Our instructor, Brett, was amazing. A local Maori, Brett is skilled in the saxophone, well-versed in conservation efforts, and excellent at teaching us Te Reo and Maori culture. 

So far, life in New Zealand is pleasant as can be. I have loved surfing and getting immersed in the Kaikoura landscapes. The town is nestled between the ocean and green pastures with humongous snowy mountains overlooking everything. It’s going to take a while to get used to the view. The Kaikoura community is super welcoming and we have enjoyed the charming town full of coffee shops, thrift stores, and fish and chips. The CCSP staff and Professors have been incredible in teaching us how to be mindful followers of Jesus as we pursue a creation-caring perspective.

Some random things we did this last week: Surfed 6-10 foot waves, learned how to bake bread, learned the ukulele, preserved Dotterel nests on the South Bay, hiked the Kaikoura Peninsula (and got scared by a cow), planted trees native to New Zealand, learned about the existence of moss piglets, baked cookies for the nearby hospital, and visited the Reserve Recovery Center. 

It’s been legendary…

Max Kru – Biola University

Orientation Week

We have arrived! Landing at various times, we met as an entire student group in the luggage area of the Christchurch airport. Bubbling with excitement, we smiled for a “we made it” selfie to send to our moms later. We drove through the countryside from Christchurch to Kaikoura. That trip made us realize how much we appreciated various aspects of creation—forests, greenery, ocean, mountains—because of our different landscapes at home. 

The full week was orientation—meetings about living well together, education on our future classes and expectations, discussions on safety practices, etc. Maybe our biggest adjustment, though, was learning about what living dynamics were like with new people: students, professors, and staff. And mingling with that all are the constant sounds of exclamation as we wonder anew at the sights, sounds, and smells around us. Did you see the mountains this morning? Look at that forest! Did you hear that bird’s song? We are in what they call “the honeymoon phase.” 

One of our introductions to Kaikoura during orientation week was the Peninsula Walk. We were introduced to Brett, our Te Reo Māori instructor, who greeted us warmly at the beginning of the hike and taught us a bit about the history of the land on which we stood. Taking the short hike to the top, we took our last first day of school picture together with Brett (see below). He sent us along the path with a beginner’s knowledge of the sacredness of the land.  

Every lookout became a destination as we paused to take in and photograph the resplendent views. Binoculars became good friends as we peered at the seals below. An albatross flew above a boat in the distance. Walking along (and sometimes through!) cows’ paddocks came with an element of excitement as we crept respectively through their residence. This short hike took a couple hours because of our consistent exuberant looking and peering. We were anxious to take in the beauty.  

This sentiment has not changed, although we may be slightly less vocal about the views after about two weeks of being here. We will still go and stand in front of the ocean or pick up especially shiny creatures as we walk along its edge. We experience the consistent falling of rain and remark on how different it is from the drought at home. We are gently falling into a rhythm of what life might look like and hopeful for what is to come. 

Kara Jasper – Dordt University ’23

Te Reo Class with Brett Cowan