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In the Words of the Students ...
In the Words of the Students ...
On the 10th of August, In Other Words, Ōtaki or Kia rerekē te hua, Ōtaki (IOWO) held a storytellers' lunch at the Ōtaki community hall. The meal and event were limited to 250 people, but it was free for the public to attend. We had a fantastic range of local storytellers and the very talented Aoteatora storytellers from our residency pilot program. This residency was created to allow hard working storytellers some time to peacefully work in a nice beach house and to bring together all aspects of our wonderful community here in Ōtaki.
Our community was treated to a wide range of skills that the storytellers brought with them, which were presented through small events throughout the residency. We hosted a foraging workshop, a zine making workshop, a storytelling through drama at Ōtaki College, a one woman performance for GPs and a Trick of The Light performance. The Storytellers Lunch was the end of this series of community events. It involved a free hangi and many interactions within the community. “To be there with 250 other people to enjoy the 10 storytellers' extracts and enjoy the hangi was an awesome experience and a wonderful event. Our community was buzzing with excitement!” - a quote from someone who attended the lunch.
Everyone on the IOWO committee worked very hard over the past year to organise this residency and the events that were created from it. On the committee from our college were Keita Broughton-Alp, Ailie Ironside and myself.
Jeana Bevan, Year 12 Student
In the Words of the IOWO Organisers ...
In the Words of the IOWO Organisers ...
This is a huge ngā mihi from our team to you for your support of Kia rerekē te hua, Ōtaki.
It was wonderful working with Jeana, Ailie and Keita - and we’re delighted that both Jeana and Ailie have said they’ll continue on with us for 2026. Tamsin thank you so much for organising the students for the workshop – I know Ruth, Fifi and Peter really enjoyed working with the students.
It was just a pleasure to work with the College - both students and staff.
As you’re aware this was an artists’ residency with a difference. It involved the storytellers residents engaging with community groups throughout Ōtaki.
During the 10 days residency, the storytellers engaged in nine bespoke community events and took part in The Storytellers Feast: Kōrero and Hāngi, a community lunch for 250 invited community members.
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