The Meeker-New Zealand Student Exchange Program

Each September, a group of Kiwis (a term for New Zealanders) venture from Invercargill, New Zealand to Tacoma, Washington. Their mission is to learn as much as possible about American culture. They accomplish this by living with families of students at Meeker Middle School. While in Tacoma, the Kiwis go to school and go on field trips to learn more about the local area and the United States of America.

The host parent group prepares for the Kiwis by arranging field trips to local venues, such as Pioneer Farms, NW Trek, Tillicum Village, or the Museum of Glass. They also prepare a welcome and farewell dinner for the Kiwis.