German students lending support

Four civic students from Germany are working with Masterton District Council as the practical component of their varsity courses. FILE PHOTO

A group of civics students from Germany are lending their time to Wairarapa on their way to gaining a qualification.

Four students are working with Masterton District Council as the practical component of their course.

They include Senja Spitzer, 21, and Lisa Bauer, 24, who have been spending the week at Masterton District Library.

Library staff have involved the students in collating materials for the children's summer reading programme - which reaches more than 400 primary and intermediate pupils and encourages reading during the summer break, according to children's and youth librarian Jane Horsham.

Ms Spitzer and Ms Bauer are studying public service at the University of Applied Sciences in Kehl, Germany and, like many Germans, chose New Zealand for their overseas practical placements.

"It has become common to go to New Zealand - a lot of Germans come here," Ms Bauer said, adding that the landscape attractions of New Zealand were well known in Germany.

"We have to work in a council or a private organisation - Masterton District Council answered us."

As well as helping at the library, the women - who are boarding with a former council staff member in Masterton - have been shown around the district and are involved with projects such as preparations for next year's Waitangi Day.

Council's Maori liaison advisor Hoani Paku has been supervising the pair as part of the community facilities and assets team.

"My role was to introduce them to some of the local iwi sites and show them some of the area," Mr Paku said.

"I took them out to Castlepoint with one of the local kaumatua. "

Mr Paku said the purpose of this involvement is "to heighten awareness of some of the cultural aspects important to the council in terms of liaising with iwi".

The students have joined the group tasked with preparing for the council's Waitangi Day activities next year.

They are helping prepare publicity material and will likely be involved in approaching food-based businesses in the town and inviting them "to participate in the celebrations".

Two other students are working with other Masterton District Council staff.

The students are sending back reports, in German and in English, of their experiences.