It was time to head back to Australia. The first leg of my journey home.. one that was going to take just a little while. I spent a lot of time in the lounges today – attempting to get my life back in some semblance of order. But I think it is going to take such a little bit longer than all that. Anyone want to lend a hand?

The morning session was less than ideal – but still managed to get it finished reasonably early. We had to plan the 3rd module – which was a bit tense since the facilitator didn’t even know if she was going to be there for it.

The plane from Wellington to Sydney was near empty. The movie was Spy Game. What a joke. Brad.. What were you thinking?

In Qantas Club it was a big confronting to be told by some of the other participants that I seemed to be very bored this week. Was it that obvious? Maybe I was just distracted.

Today was an interesting day in Wellington, we got to learn more about the government and the Treaty of Waitangi. Very interesting. But the highlight for the day had to be going for a powhiri at one of the local marae. A powhiri is a welcome ceremony before a meeting – and it was very interesting.

The powhiri is basically made up of:

Karanga (Call): The karanga is the first voice to be heard in powhiri. The karanga is traditionally carried out by a female elder. The caller for the Tangata Whenua holds the title of kai karanga and is the first to call. The caller who replies for the Manuhiri holds the title of Kai whakatu. The purpose of the karanga is to weave a spiritual rope allowing safe passage for the Manuhiri to enter onto Te Marae nui atea o Tumatauenga (courtyard in front of the Ancestral House).

Mihi (Speeches): Traditionally only the experts in the art of Whaikorero (Oratory) would stand to speak to the opposite group. The purpose of the mihi is to acknowledge and weave together the past, present and future, by acknowledging the creator, guardians, the hunga mate (the dead), the hunga ora (the living – those present at the powhiri) and laying down the take or kaupapa (the reason) for the Powhiri or event that will take place.

Oriori / Waiata (Chant/Song): The purpose of the Oriori is to show that the people support the speaker and what he has said. Oriori are often compliment what has been said, the occasion surrounding the powhiri, acknowledge the speakers whakapapa (genealogy) or the group itself.

Hongi (Traditional Greeting): The hongi is the first physical contact between the two groups. It is not the widely popularised ‘Rubbing of Noses’ but the gentle pressing of nose and forehead.

Hakari / Kai (Feast/Eating): This is the final stage of the powhiri. It is the stage where the tapu of the powhiri is removed by the sharing of kai.

The most amazing part was when we had to sing our own Oriori which we had written for the day:

Health leaders all,
we come to hear about your health reforms;
Your district boards and PHOs,
confront our health care norms;
Your land abounds with good ideas,
that we are pleased to share;
Solutions may be hard to find,
but they must be out there.

In common,
we have people who have prospered,
some not so;
Australian and New Zealand friends,
together we will grow;
Our purpose here is leadership,
our networks to extend;
Along the way, we have found,
new colleagues and new friends.

[To the tune of Advance Australia Fair]

They liked it so much we had to sing it over and over again. Ouch.

One of the most interesting parts of the day was learning about Ngati Porou one of the most entrepreneurial and innovative iwi (tribes). Very good work being done.

Afterwards, I caught up with J again. Was an interesting evening. He took me to Logan-Brown Restaurant. Was quite special.

I think it is time to sleep. I have to pack in the morning. Oops.

I have to say the sadness and invasion I feel inside with the whole burglery is negated a little by how pretty Wellington is. I got a chance to look around today. While the city is pretty cruddy (public transport is lousy), the views of the harbour and the hills circling the city are just amazing. Looking out the hotel room now with the lights of the houses circling the harbour is just beautiful.

The days presentations were of variable quality. At times it is amazing how people can ask questions about the talks which have bored me to death. But as Evonne then reminds me.. when I am bored.. it is about me.

I checked in at the office. Appears things are not good back in Melbourne. There is much struggling with the whole budget situation. I am scared about how difficult this next year is going to be.

Instead of going to the course dinner – I made up an excuse and just settled in for the evening. I curled up in bed and did some work. I have so much more to get done – but no idea when it is going to happen.

Soooooo tired.

I finally managed to get myself sorted out about 1pm and headed downstairs just in time to head off to lunch and Te Papa Tongarewa which is NZ’s national museum. Gave a pretty good insight in the Maori history of the islands. A good foundation for stuff to be done later in the week.

I made a decision to head back to Australia straight after the course finishes on Thursday. In doing so, it cost me an extra $750, but that is offset by 4 days less accommodation and the car hire/fuel for driving around the north. The reason I did that was that the whole point of that was to take lots of photos with the digital camera that is now in the possession of crooks!

So what I have done instead is to resolve to come back at the end of the year (with a new digital camera and hopefully Alex) and do a more extensive trip around. The country (the little I have seen so far) is actually truly beautiful. I want to see more – and definitely do the South Island as well.

I’ve almost done a full entry without talking about how the course went. Well.. everyone was really nice to me, and I was happy for that. There is one woman who clearly has a grudge against my workplace – so I have to keep correcting her throw away lines – but you get over that I guess.

I’m about to order some room service.. and eat in tonight. Everyone else has gone out – but I have so much work to get through this week that I guess I will try and make sure I get through it all. The other advantage in going home early is that I can get started on that freelance client a little earlier than expected.

Went out to Pound, Wellington’s only gay venue. Interesting. Got chatted up by this guy named James. Seemed nice enough.