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During a Round Square trip to New Zealand this past September, a group of GNS students had the opportunity to broaden their perspectives and take part in an enriching educational expedition.
The trip allowed them to explore the unique biodiversity of the scenic North Island and provided insight into the rich culture and history of the Māori People of New Zealand.
Hailey ’27 said that she was especially moved by New Zealand’s distinct natural landscapes. “My favourite part was being able to explore the nature around New Zealand, as the biodiversity is really different there from anywhere else in the world. So being able to experience that was really fascinating. I just think that it’s a very valuable experience.”
A boat ride through the Waitomo Caves was Finn Adamson’s ’27 favourite part of the whole New Zealand experience. “These caves have a really impressive ecosystem with glow worms along the ceiling, which was wonderful.”
One of Finn’s biggest takeaways from the trip was how the Māori People of New Zealand look at the concept of leadership. “It’s less about everyone below supporting the leader and more about the leader’s job to hold the majority of the burden. It was clearly some very universal values that were seen in the whole North Island.”
Grade 10 student Clementine ’26 said that the service activities centred around environmental conservation. From tree planting to beach cleanups, the students actively contributed to New Zealand’s efforts to restore its original biodiversity. A particularly inspiring moment for Clementine was a keynote speech by a paralympic athlete, providing her with motivation and a fresh perspective.
Duncan ’26, was struck by the contrast in how New Zealanders interact with Māori populations compared to Canada’s interactions with Indigenous Peoples. He noted the recognition of Māori contributions in war memorials and suggested that Canada could draw valuable lessons from New Zealand’s approach to acknowledging Indigenous history.
Jennifer Quinn, the Middle School Round Square Coordinator, said that the impact of international experiences on students is so important.
“Getting kids out to conferences and exchanges is a big part of Round Square. The Round Square ideals are internationalism, democracy, environment, adventure, leadership and service. Going to these conferences allows the kids to really get out of their comfort zone and have a different worldview.”
Teacher chaperone, Pat Giommi, praised the students for their seamless integration, curiosity, and ability to form friendships. He was impressed by how well they were able to represent the GNS community.
“The beauty of New Zealand was also pretty spectacular. We went to Mount Maunganui, Rotorua, the Waitomo Caves and we did service in Cambridge. We also went to a regional park where they’ve implemented predator free fencing—we packed a lot into the trip,” he said.
This trip exposed the students to diverse ecosystems and cultures, sparking reflections on how Canada could learn from New Zealand in areas such as Indigenous recognition and environmental conservation.
