A group of New Zealand high school students are getting a taste of Cook Islands culture during a ten- day visit to Rarotonga.

About 22 people make up the visiting Turanga Wahine Gisborne Girls' High School Year 12 and 13 group in what has been labelled a cultural exchange.

Turanga Wahine have been busy with school visits, performances and voluntary work, and were sharing some dance moves with Apii Nikao Primary School on Wednesday last week.

Students said they have made connections during their visit, and in doing so, have found their culture to be similar to Cook Islands culture.

Co-ordinating teacher Trish Tangaroa said the group are keeping journals of their visit which is part of a Gisborne Girls’ High School biennial travel programme.

“It’s about confidence and world exposure,” Tangaroa said.

“They learn from travel and connect with each other.

“They see how the culture relates to their own.”

While taking some time out to experience turtle and lagoon tours, the group also participated in beach and walking track clean ups.

“The kids have to learn we just don’t take from the land, we give back.”

They are scheduled to return to New Zealand on October 4.