Around half a dozen students are about to immerse themselves in the Japanese grape-growing, culture and language in Hastings, while also earning money for a school trip to Japan next year.
In October, senior Japanese language students from Havelock North High School visited Greencollar New Zealand, a new vineyard in Maraekakaho. The company specialises in producing some of the world’s finest table grape varietals for both the New Zealand and export markets.
The students were warmly welcomed by chief executive Shin Koizumi. They were given a tour of the vineyard and learned about the prestigious role grapes play in Japanese culture, particularly in the context of gift-giving. They were also treated to a selection of traditional Japanese snacks and sweets.
To conclude the visit, Mr Koizumi extended an exciting offer: summer work at the vineyard. This would give students the opportunity to practise their Japanese with the Greencollar team while earning funds for their school trip to Japan next year.
Stephen Lowry, the school’s Japanese teacher, said it was an invaluable opportunity. “Having a little slice of Japanese culture in Hastings is incredible for our students,”
“This is a superb opportunity for them to interact with native Japanese speakers right here at home. We’re thrilled that Shin has chosen Hawke’s Bay to establish the business.”
Even for local students familiar with horticulture— common in fruit-growing Hawke’s Bay—working at Greencollar will be a unique experience. The vineyard employs meticulous grape-growing techniques, including enclosing each bunch in individual paper ‘sleeping bags’ and shading them with paper umbrellas to protect them from the elements.
So far, about 10 students had signed up for the summer work. They can also look forward to learning traditional Japanese cooking techniques, with Mrs Koizumi offering to share her expertise.
“This experience will be invaluable on so many levels,” Mr Lowry said.
Mr Koizumi said it was a pleasure to host such engaged students and the team was looking forward to having them on the orchard over summer. “It was a pleasure to share our culture with the students. They were very interested in the Japanese methods of grape-growing and eager to use their Japanese language skills. We’re excited to have them join us on the vineyard this summer and look forward to hearing about their adventures in Japan.”
