The Powhiri Process

The Powhiri Process

THE WERO

The wero is a greeting to see if you come in peace.They will
send the fastest runners to see if you come in peace. They
will place a stick or a feather on the ground and the visitor
will pick it up. If they pick it up they come in peace and if
they don’t pick it up they come in war. Today this is only for
special visitors.

Karanga

       The karanga is a welcome call performed from the
woman. It lets the visitors know that they can come on the
marae. It also welcomes the dead. And it tells the people
who you are.

Whaikorero

A whaikorero is a formal speech made by men.  The hosts and
visitors do these speeches. They acknowledge the dead and
welcome the people and they can argue about any issues.

Koha

The koha is a gift to the marae. The gift can be food, treasure or
money. It shows appreciation for staying at the marae. The
gift helps with the running costs of the marae. The speaker
with the guest will place the gift after his speech.

Waiata

A waiata is a maori song and it is a form of greeting.

In ancient times the waiata would normally be sung by woman.

HONGI

A hongi is where you touch noses with the marae people.
To make it more comfortable they would put your hand on
there shoulder. A hongi show respet.

Kai  

After the hongi the they go to the dinning hall to eat the kai.
They will eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Bye Cooper