Pōwhiri

Pōwhiri: What is it?• A Pōwhiri is a formal Māori welcoming ceremony

• They can happen anywhere hosts wish to formally greet a group of visitors. For example on a marae.

Pōwhiri: What happens?• Māori language is used during a pōwhiri and a basic pōwhiri follows six

steps

1. Karanga

2. Whaikōrero

3. Waiata

4. Koha

5. Hongi

6. Hākari

1. Karanga• The karanga is an exchange of calls that take place during the time a visiting

group moves onto the marae or into the formal meeting area.

• The karanga indicates the start of the pōwhiri

• Karanga are initiated by the hosts and the visitors respond. They follow a format to keep within protocol

• Karanga are carried out by women - kaikaranga

• Karanga are to address and greet each other and the people the kaikaranga are representing, address and pay tribute to the dead and refer to the reason the groups have come together

• The exchange generally lasts until the visitors have stopped to pay respect in front of the meeting house. After a short silence the hosts indicate the visitors should take their seats.

2. Whaikōrero• Whaikōrero are formal speeches spoken in Māori and are generally carried out

by men

• Speakers display their competence with Māori language and create imagery and metaphor with their speeches

• Whaikōrero also follow a format:1. Tauparapara – ritual chant2. Acknowledgement of the ancestral house3. Acknowledgement of Mother Earth and all living things4. Acknowledgement of the dead5. Acknowledgement of the living6. Purpose of the meeting

3. Waiata• Waiata are songs

• They are sung after each whaikōrero (formal speech)

• They are sung to support what the speaker has said and to also lift restrictions (tapu)

• They are performed in unison with no music or instruments

3. Waiata• Example of waiata

Tēnā koutou, e hoa mā Greetings, oh friends Kua tae mai nei i tēnei rā Arrived here this day

Nö reira rā, e hoa mā Therefore, oh friends, Kia ora rā, koutou katoa Good health, to you all

Kua rongo hoki ahau I had heard of course Kua rongo hoki ahau I had heard of course Kua

rongo hoki ahau I had heard of course Kei te haere mai koutou That you were all coming Nö reira rā, e hoa mā Therefore, oh friends, Kia ora rā, koutou katoa Good health, to you all

http://www.korero.maori.nz/sound/waiata/tena-koutou.mp3 The song was recorded by Radio Kahungunu and sung by "The Irirangi Singers" Joseph Te Rito, John Harmer, Patricia Te Rangi and Hawea Tomoana

4. Koha• Koha – gift

• Koha is usually money collected from the visitors. It is money of love and respect to the hosts for their hospitality

• The koha is laid on the ground by the last speakers of the visitors

• A kuia (female elder) from the hosts may karanga in thanks

• The koha is picked up by a male from the hosts

5. Hongi• Hongi – to press noses

• Hongi signify the joining together of the hosts and visitors, sharing of life breath

• Hosts invite visitors to come forward to hongi and shake hands (hariru)

6. Hākari• Hākari – meal, feast, to have a feast

• A meal is shared between the hosts and visitors

• The hākari usually signifies the end of the pōwhiri

http://hereoora.tki.org.nz/Videos/Te-marae/Powhiri-on-a-marae