Watched Lord of the Rings? Then you've seen New Zealand. But there's so much more to this amazing country than its gorgeous scenery.

Even before Middle Earth, there were the Maori, the original people of New Zealand. Join us as we take a peek into their culture with songs, stories and a few surprises. You'll learn about their ceremonial dance, the haka, why the Maori rub noses upon greeting each other and even how the world was formed by the separation of Ranginui, the Sky Father, and Papatuanuku, the Earth Mother.

Our guest speaker, popping in all the way from New Zealand is Louisa Tipene Opetaia, Of Māori and Samoan descent, Louisa was born in Aotearoa, New Zealand but calls herself a "global citizen" having spent many years living and working overseas including Australia, Japan and even Oceanside, California. She currently lives in South Auckland and works as the Cultural Affairs Coordinator at the United States Consulate General.