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• 6TH ANNUAL COHORT - 29TH OCT - 7TH NOV
10 days on the Marae. A lifetime in community.
For five years, we've been taking Aboriginal mob across the ocean to Aotearoa to live alongside Māori communities who hold their culture close and remember exactly who they are. what comes back is bigger than a trip. It's an identity. It's healing. It's strength you can feel.
This is the trip that changes everything.
We're not taking people sightseeing. We're taking them to live on the Marae with Māori communities who never stopped being themselves. Communities who run their own system, raise their own kids, and govern their own people. They take care for their own. They hold their culture as law. They've never let anyone tell them who they are.
The transformation that happens to our mob over there is insane. There is so much healing because their community is so close. It's an experience you literally need to attend.
That's what our people see when they get there. Sovereignty in practice, not in theory. Identity that has weight. Community that holds you. After ten days of that, you don't come home the same person.
Over five years, we've watched Aboriginal mob walk into Aotearoa carrying questions and walk out carrying answers. Watched them connect with Māori Elders, learn protocols, share knowledge, sit by fire, eat hāngī, sleep on the Marae, and find pieces of themselves they didn't know were missing.
Ten days that meet you
where you are.
From the moment you land in Auckland to the morning you leave the Marae, every part to this program is designed to move you -- culturally, spiritually, and personally.
—— 01
Living on the Marae.
Seven days sleeping, eating, cooking and yarning in communal spaces with Māori hosts.
—— 02
Cultural exchange with Elders.
Maori Elders and senior cultural leaders lead activities, teach customs, share whakapapa and welcome you onto Country through Powhiri.
—— 03
Five Marae, one journey.
Travel through the Hokianga region five different Marae, each with its own stories, history and significance. Walk where it matters
—— 04
Hāngī, weaving, Te Reo Māori.
Prepare traditional hāngī with the community. Learn weaving and art. Pick up Te Reo Māori alongside Dharug language exchange. Hands-on, every day.
—— 05
Sovereignity in practice.
See what self-determination actually looks like — communities running their own services, raising kids on Country, holding culture as law. Not a theory. A reality.
—— 06
Reflection on Country.
The final day is spent in yarning circles on the marae — sharing what's shifted, what you're carrying home, and what comes next. Nothing rushed.
HOW TO JOIN US
Secure your spot,
or apply for sponsorship
Ready to join our Cross Culture, Cross Oceans Program? Simply complete the registration form and let us know who will be paying for your place. We can then issue an invoice directly to you, or send the invoice a workplace, family member, sponsor, or another person who is covering the cost of your participation.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM | 10 PLACES AVAILABLE
Cross Culture, Cross Oceans | October 2027-2028 Intake
WHAT'S INCLUDED
✓ Return flights from Sydney to NZ
✓ 10 days accommodation
✓ Majority of meals
✓ All cultural activities & workshops
✓ Pre-trip preparation (3 x Google Meet Sessions)
✓ Full travel support from BOC/YLS Team
PROGRAM FEE
$2,500 | $500 DEPOSIT
Registering your interest is a commitment to joining the program. There is no payment required at the time you register. Once you complete the registration, you can let us know where you would like us to direct the invoice to. You will have 7 days to make your first payment with a $500 deposit required to secure your place.
NEED YOUR WORKPLACE/ORGANISATION TO SUPPORT YOUR PLACE?
If you would like your workplace or organisation to cover or contribute towards your participation, let us know when you register. We can provide a supporting letter outlining the purpose of the program, what you will gain from the experience, and how your participation can contribute to your work, professional development and the wider organisation.
— OR APPLY FOR A SPONSORED SPOT —
Two full sponsored
pathways.
Limited spots, application required. We review for readiness, cultural safety and program fit.
FULLY SPONSORED PATHWAY
Cultural Presenter - 2028
1 PLACE • FOR ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PRACTITIONER/KNOWLEDGE HOLDER
We're looking an Aboriginal cultural practitioner or knowledge holder to travel to Aotearoa New Zealand and share culture, knowledge and connection with Maori hosts on the Marae.
This is a genuine two-way cultural exchange. An opportunity to share, learn, build relationships and experience culture together.
IN RETURN FOR:
• 2 x 2-hour cultural presentations on the Marae.
• Following all cultural protocols.
• Full participation in the program journey.
100% FUNDED BY BOC
Sponsored Rural/Remote - 2027
1 PLACE • FOR AN ABORIGINAL OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER FROM A RURAL OR REMOTE COMMUNITY
We're opening one fully sponsored place for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person from a rural or remote community who may not otherwise have access to an international cultural exchange experience.
We're looking for someone who has strong connection to culture, community and learning, who is ready to share their perspective while building meaningful connections with Maori hosts in Aotearoa.
COVERS:
• Return flights from Sydney or nearest major airport.
• All accomodation, meals and activities.
• Pre-trip prep and ongoing mentoring.
THE JOURNEY, DAY BY DAY
Ten days.
Carefully held.
Every day is designed for cultural depth and personal growth. Here's how the journey unfolds.
Sydney → Auckland → Kerikeri → Paihia
DAY 1 • THURS
29 Oct
Meet at Sydney International. Fly to Auckland, transfer domestic to Kerikeri. Travel to accommodation at Haka House Paihia. Dinner together, yarn about expectations for the week ahead.
Settling In
DAY 2 • FRI
30 Oct
Explore the town, settle into accomodation, opportunity to pick up any personal items needed for the days ahead.
Waitangi -- cultural connection
DAY 3 • SAT
31 Oct
Cultural connections and connections to Country. Performance and shared meal at Waitangi — where the Treaty was signed and where Māori sovereignty begins.
Footprints of Manae — onto the Marae
DAY 4 • SUN
1 Nov
Travel through Opinoni, Rawene ferry to Kohukohu. Powhiri — the traditional welcome onto the lands. From here, we're on the Marae.
Weaving, art and language
DAY 5 • MON
2 Nov
Cultural significance of the area through weaving, art and learning Te Reo Māori. Songs shared in Dharug and Māori — language exchange across First Nations.
Five Marae of Hokianga
DAY 6 • TUES
3 Nov
Travel to five different Marae across the Hokianga region. Learn from traditional peoples — the stories, the history, the cultural significance of each Marae.
Community sector + Aboriginal knowledge sharing
DAY 7 • WED
4 Nov
Prepare and share a traditional hāngī. Meet community members and elders. Sit with their stories. Eat together.
Reflection day on the Marae
DAY 8 • THURS
6 Nov
Small yarning circles on the Marae. Discuss what we've learned, what we're carrying home, what we'll change. The most significant moments — named and held.
Reflection day on the Marae
DAY 9 • FRI
6 Nov
Small yarning circles on the Marae. Discuss what we've learned, what we're carrying home, what we'll change. The most significant moments — named and held.
Kerikeri → Auckland → Sydney
DAY 10 • FRI
7 Nov
Prepartion for travel home. Kerikeri to Auckland. Auckland to Sydney. We come home.
— WHAT YOU'LL WALK HOME WITH —
It's bigger than a passport stamp.
01
Strengthened cultural identity and self-esteem -- seeing strong First Nations culture in practice shifts how you see yours.
02
Healing and reconnection -- for many people, this is the first time they've felt that close to a whole community.
03
Emotional regulation and reflective practice -- communal living teaches you how to be in space with others, daily.
04
Cultural protocol knowledge -- understanding respect, safety and conduct across two First Nations contexts.
05
Leadership grounded in culture -- you came home ready to step into your role differently.
06
International travel confidence -- supported before, during, and after, so you build the skill to travel independently.
07
Lifelong networks - relationships with the people, mentors, Elders who walked this with you.
08
Cross-cultural worldview - exposure to a different way First Nations peoples have held their culture against the same pressures.
5
YEARS • FIVE COHORTS
Hundreds of stories carried home.
Listen to the women
who walked this.
Don't take our word for it. Hear it from the ones who've been there. These are interviews with women from previous Cross Culture; Cross Oceans cohorts -- in their own words.
READ BEFORE YOU APPLY
What you need to know first.
This is not a holiday.
You'll be living on the Marae in communal sleeping spaces for seven days. Sharing meals, cleaning, cooking, travelling together on the buses. Cultural protocols guide everything. You'll need to commit start to finish -- for the community hsting us, that's non-negotaile respect.
You'll need a passport with 6+ months remaining.
If you don't have one, we can help. We've supported plenty of people through their first passport application -- reach out and we'll walk you through it.
No alcohol or drugs on the Marae or during cultural activities.
This is a cultural safety requirement, not just a rule. The Marae is a living sacred space. Breaches may result in removal from the program at the paticipants expense.
All medical and support needs must be disclosed.
We'll make reasonable efforts to support accessibility, but the program involves international travel and structured cultural environments. Tell us early so we can plan with you.
Your Cultural Intectually Property is protected.
Anything you share -- stories, knowledge, language, artwork -- remain yours. Nothing is recorded, photographed or shared without your written consent. You can opt out of all media at any time.
Pre-trip preparation is part of the program.
You'll join 2 - 3 Zoom/Google Meet sessions before departure to talk through process, protocols and expectations. Both program directions are available by phone, email and messenger throughout.
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