Invitation to Powhiri [Ceremony of Welcome] and protocol
After the Registration Desk opens at 3 pm on Wednesday 18 February, our conference will formally begin with a powhiri, a Maori ritual of encounter and welcome, which will be held at Waipapa Marae on the University of Auckland campus.
A powhiri brings hosts and visitors closer together in a series of stages that include a formal call for visitors to enter the marae, a silent remembering of the dead, an exchange of speeches of greeting supported with songs, physical contact (handshakes and the mixing of breath and spirit by the pressing together of noses), and sharing food.
Visitors (or manuhiri) are asked to assemble outside the marae gate at 3.45pm. They will then be called onto the marae as a group. People familiar with the correct forms for a powhiri will be at the gate to assist visitors. Speech makers will be arranged in advance on a representative basis, and speeches and songs will be in both Maori and English.
It is customary for visitors, as a group, to give a koha [gift]. While this is most frequently money, it is not a payment for hospitality but rather a way of establishing and maintaining a relationship. The amount depends entirely on how much the visitors want to give, and the gift is given collectively and not from individuals. This will be organised for you.
For planning purposes, it would be helpful if people who are planning to participate in the powhiri would let us know. This can be done by sending an email to ACIS@confer.co.nz.
We hope that you will be able to join us for this opening ceremony.
WAIPAPA MARAE: PROTOCOLS FOR THE POWHIRI
| He kainga no te ururoa, te moana |
The ocean is the home of the shark, and |
| He kainga no te kereru, te ngahere |
the forest is the home of the wood pigeon. |
This proverb has many meanings one of which is that respect should be accorded to those whose domain you enter.
| Ko Maungakiekie te maunga |
Maungakiekie is the mountain |
| Ko Waitemata te moana |
Waitemata the sea |
| Ko Ngäti Whatua te iwi |
Ngäti Whatua the people/tribe (of Auckland) |
| Ko Waipapa te marae |
Waipapa the University Marae |
| Ko Täne-nui-a-rangi te wharenui |
Täne-nui-a-rangi the whare |
| Ko Reipae te wharekai |
Reipae the wharekai |
Powhiri
This handout is a brief guide to the procedure for attending a powhiri at Waipapa Marae. The kawa [protocol] can vary from place to place but for this marae [complex of buildings and grounds] the following guide will give you some idea of what to expect.
It should be noted that walking on to the marae is a time of remembrance, sadness and showing of respect. The manuhiri [visiting group] often walk forward slowly with their head bowed, some even shed tears for those who have died. So when called on to the marae it is appropriate to be silent and reverent.
- Assemble outside the gate and organise kaikorero [a speaker], koha [a gift] and kaiwhakahokia i te karanga [the person who will return/answer the call from the home people]. A koha is a gift to the people you are visiting, usually this is money, placed into an envelope and given to your speakers.
- Move to the gate - women in the front, men at the back (and sides). It is important that you keep together, normally in an arrow formation with your caller in the front. Usually the elder women of your group will stand at the front. Stay together as a group when moving forward.
- When the kaikaranga [woman caller] for the tangata whenua [home people / people of the marae] gives her call, your ope [group] proceed to walk forward slowly on to the Marae atea [ground directly in front of the meeting house]. It is polite to be silent during the powhiri. Its important to stay close together as a group when walking on to the marae - so if you have children they should be at your side.
- The kaiwhakahoki i te karanga [caller] for the manuhiri [visiting group] will reply. She/he is at the front (or sometimes to the sides) of the group and everyone stays behind or close by. The group walks slowly forward and stops about halfway between the gate and the wharenui [meeting house]. At this point the group will stop for one to two minutes (at a tangihanga [bereavement/funeral] this stop is often much longer).
- The manuhiri [visiting group] starts walking forward and the kaikaranga [woman caller] for the tangata whenua [home people] will begin their second call.
- The call is answered by the kaiwhakahokia i te karanga [caller] for the manuhiri [visiting group]. The group walks on to the porch of the house where they remove their shoes. They enter the house and go to the right side of the house. They then walk along the right hand side wall and remain standing. Seating will be provided for your speakers on the right hand side (all others will be seated behind them on the floor or on mattresses). It is correct to remain standing until everyone is assembled inside and until you are asked to be seated by the tangata whenua [home people].
- Once seated the speeches begin (prior to this though, a prayer of thanks is often given). As each speech is made, it is followed with a waiata [song]. The manuhiri [visiting group] speakers follow with their speeches and waiata [song].
- The koha [gift] is (usually) placed on the ground or handed to a representative of the tangata whenua [home people] by the last speaker before the final waiata [song]. At the end of the speeches the tangata whenua [home people] will indicate to the manuhiri [visiting group] to come forward to shake hands and to hongi [pressing of nose and forehead in greeting (do not close your eyes)].
- The hongi is incorrectly translated as rubbing noses. The hongi has special significance, including the mixing of the breath and the wairua [spirit]. Often the hongi is only performed by the kaikorero [speaker] and kaumatua [elder(s)] of your group. The nose and then the forehead are pressed against the other person’s nose and forehead once (in other parts of New Zealand it is two presses of the nose and forehead).
- The formal part of the Powhiri finishes once the person has had something to drink and eat (there are cultural reasons for this). You are now tangata whenua [home people] and Waipapa is your marae. You will be called into the wharekai [dining hall/kitchen] where a karakia [prayer] is always said before the eating of a meal. It is polite to help in the kitchen. Don't ask those in the kitchen if they need help as they will say no, just help and they will greatly appreciate it. After a cup of tea you will reassemble in the house for further discussion, debate or instruction.
Points to remember
Speaking
A great deal of respect is accorded to people who are speaking so there are some rules that are important to know.
- There are no restrictions on women to speak within the wharenui [meeting house] but there are appropriate places and times. So always check prior to standing or until someone has indicated.
- It is not polite to speak when others are speaking. No matter how much you disagree with a speaker, you must wait until they have finished talking completely.
- Never walk in front of a speaker. If you really are desperate then walk behind them or bend down if walking in front of them.
Terms
Hongi - Pressing of nose and forehead in greeting [do not close your eyes]
Kaikaranga - the woman/women ‘caller’ (tangata whenua side) who has the honour of calling on the visitors
Kaikorero - The speaker
kaiwhakahoki i te karanga - The woman/man ‘caller’ (manuhiri side) who has the honour of returning the call to the tangata whenua
Karanga - A call
Karakia - A prayer
Kaumatua - Elder(s) [inclusive of both male and female]
Kawa - Protocols, rules
Koha- A gift/donation [a gesture of appreciation]
Manuhiri - Visiting group
Marae - Whole complex, grounds and buildings
Marae atea - Ground directly in front of the wharenui [forecourt of the marae]
Ope - Group
Powhiri - Ceremony of welcome
Tangata whenua - Home people [people of the marae]
Tangihanga - Bereavement/funeral
Waiata - Song
Wairua - Spirit
Wharenui - Meeting house
Wharekai - Dining hall and/or kitchen
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