"It's reaffirming my identity ... I feel refreshed and ready to go back to my work space."
Te Puawananga o Te Arawa first ran about eight years ago but has been in recess for three years.
Attendees are learning waiata, karakia, whakapapa and te reo at Tangatarua Marae at Toi Ohomai. They are encouraged to stay on the marae if they can.
Local man Ruihana Te Nahu said he jumped at the opportunity to learn from Te Ururoa Flavell.
"I came along to add to my kete," he said.
"One highlight was having the opportunity to learn from Te Ururoa Flavell. I'd been wanting to come in previous years but it stopped running. As soon as I heard about this one I said I wanted to go."
Before the course began Flavell said he wanted to make sure everyone who attended came out with a knowledge of at least one waiata, one karakia, one genealogical line and had the opportunity to debate and discuss Te Arawa culture.
During the weekend he said things were going well.
"We will have achieved our goals by the time we've finished.
"I am very pleased with the commitment and effort of everyone."
Te Puawananga o Te Arawa, upcoming courses: - When: May 18-20, June 8-10 and June 29-July 1. - What: A course on Te Arawa te reo, waiata, karakia, whakapapa, karanga and whaikorero. - Where: Tangatarua Marae, Toi Ohomai campus. - Who: Open to all. Facilitated by Te Ururoa Flavell with help from other Te Arawa experts.