Pōwhiri at Muritai
The Pōwhiri is the ritual ceremony of encounter. At Muritai School we use Pōwhiri to formally welcome guests (manuhiri), new teachers, new students and new families to our school.The pōwhiri signifies two groups coming together, the tapu or sacredness surrounding manuhiri is removed and finishing with the guests joining their hosts as one.
It is a spiritual or religious journey where gods, heaven and earth are acknowledged, ancestors remembered and kinship ties reinforced. It is also when intentions are ascertained, issues debated and lobbying carried out.
These few guidelines we hope will provide clarity in regards to what is expected of you as manuhiri (visitors) to this land of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, where the local iwi and customs are Te Ātiawa.
- Karanga
The first voice/s in a pōwhiri is given by women. It is called a “karanga” and performed by kaikaranga – “callers”.
a)A young woman or several young women will beckon you welcome onto the School grounds
b)A woman or several woman will respond to the welcoming call on behalf of your group (We can provide you with a kai karanga if required but please inform us prior to your visit)
Te Ātiawa tikanga (protocol):
c)Women should enter the Marae-atea (courtyard/meeting area) ahead of the men who should follow at the rear and to the sides as a protective shield to the women.
d)Your group should move slowly onto the Marae Atea.
e)Face the Tangata Whenua(hosts) and advance slowly, deliberately and respectfully.
f)No talking should occur amongst your group as you move forward.
The karanga exchange will continue as the group move forward extending the welcome to your group.
g)Pause in respect
When your group reaches the halfway point, pause for a few seconds with heads bowed. This indicates remembrance of those of our loved ones who have passed on.
- Hongi, Hariru & Koha/Kokohu
Te Ātiawa tikanga (protocol):
The hongi and hariru occurs before the commencement of karakia and whaikorero. The koha/kokohu is handed by the manuhiri Kaikorero (speaker)to the Tangata Whenua Kaumatua (elder) during the hongi.
It is appropriate to give a koha or donation which will be passed over during the proceedings. In the case of Te Atiawa, this is called a kokohu. This is an acknowledgement of the generosity of the tangata whenua and because we are a school could be something as simple as a cherished or recommended book.
a)The hongi is where two people touch and press each others nose –this action symbolises the first breath of life between both people. (Koha/kokohu is handed over)
b)The hariru is where two people shake hands.
- Seating
The front row on each side is called the paepae.
a)Those presenting whaikorero (speeches), who are the men, are seated in the front row of seats. The women amongst your group are seated in the rows behind.
These are traditional seating arrangements and are practiced in this manner as: men are regarded as the protectors of women (whare tangata) who are the bearers of future generations. Should any conflict take place during the speeches (not seen in modern times) men will be at the forefront to protect their women.
b)You should stand until tangata whenua invite your group to be seated, after which tangata whenua will be seated.
- Whaikorero
Te Ātiawa protocols for speakers on the paepae is PAEKE.
a)This means the tangata whenua paepae will start the speeches and will continue until each speaker on the tangata whenua paepae has completed his speech.
b)Tangata whenua will invite your group of speakers on the front row (paepae) to speak.
c)The last speaker on the paepae will be from the tangata whenua side.
During the speech the speaker will regain the mauri (life essence) of the School as tangata whenua.
d)Each speech is followed by the performance of a waiata (song), or sometimes a haka (dance), by the orator's support group. This provides strength and enhancement to what has been said by a speaker/s.
- Kai
The powhiri concludes with the sharing of kai or food. The food removes the tapu or sacredness from the manuhiri, so that the two sides may complete the coming together. As in all cultures the sharing of food also signifies a binding together.