Traditional Powhiri Items

What is a marae and why is it important?

A marae is our focal point. A marae enables us to carry out our traditions and customs and express our values fully and with dignity. Marae kawa (local protocols) prevail when we gather on marae. Marae kawa differ from one marae to the next and across different tribal regions. We need marae for a number of reasons, including:

• Whaikōrero – that we may rise tall in oratory

• Tangihanga – that we may weep for our dead

• Karakia – that we may pray

• Hākari – that we may have our feasts

• Manaakitanga – that we may house our guests

• Hui – that we may have our meetings

• Mārena – that we may host weddings

• Hui whānau – that we may have family reunions

• Waiata and haka – that we may sing our waiata and perform our haka.

This weeks challenge is to learn one of the two items that is often performed on a marae and to understand why it is a commonly performed item. What makes these items special, especially for a powhiri? At some point in your life whether for high school, university, a tangi, work or just to accompany a friend you will likely attend at powhiri. Knowing these songs below will help you be part of a very tapu Māori tradition.

Tōia Mai te Waka

Tēnā Koutou

 

Assembly items

These three songs are sung or spoken in assembly weekly. One is a song of welcome, one is our national anthem and the other is an opening karakia. All three should be spoken/sung with respect and mana (pride). 

As an extra challenge for seniors, do a little bit of research and see if you can figure out what the karakia means. 

Powhiri

 

Seniors: Create an informational poster or DLO answering the following questions.

Juniors: Watch the video and talk about what a powhiri is. Get students to draw a picture (on their iPads or on paper) and write a sentence about one thing they learnt. 

1. What is a wero?
2. What is a karanga?
3. Who does the karanga?
4. Who are the manuhiri?
5. What does whaikorero mean?
6. What does koha mean?
7. What does a hongi represent?
8. During a powhiri, women walk on first. What is the reason for this?
9.  What marks the end of the powhiri?
10. Is there anything else you learnt/ know about a powhiri?