~ Article & photos from JETAA Auckland ~
It has been a busy year so far for our Chapter. On ANZAC weekend in April, as has been our practice for the past few years, we held our ‘Weekend in Nature’. This year we travelled to Rawene in the Hokianga, about four hours north of Auckland.
We enjoyed a relaxing weekend of good company, delicious vegan fare and beautiful nature. We visited the Koutu Boulders before the Rawene Boatshed, which had done such a roaring trade that weekend they literally ran out of food.
In May we visited the Japanese Pottery Exhibition at the Long Gallery in the Pah Homestead. We saw some really lovely pieces. Later that month we held our annual Quiz Night. The final scores for the Quiz were very close, with a point separating the victors from the rest. This night also doubled as a fundraising effort. Our hearts go out to those affected by the Kumamoto earthquake and this was a tangible way that we were able to contribute to the recovery effort.
As is expected with other chapters also, we held our Q&A session for departing JETs in June and just the past weekend their Pre-Departure Orientation. They have been an amazingly talented bunch which we know will have such wonderful experiences on JET.
In July we attended a screening of a Japanese Film showing as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival. I do believe that ‘After the Storm’ is my favourite film from Kore-eda Hirokazu yet. Discussing it afterwards was just as entertaining, listening to the many different interpretations that certain parts produced.
It is amazing to think that we are celebrating 30 years of the JET Programme this year. It is such an immense milestone and in order to mark the occasion we are coming together as a chapter and community to celebrate. This is going to be held at the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium in Auckland, August 7, where we hope to share a wonder of the universe that crosses all cultures and beliefs.
