Pōwhiri at Tuahiwi Marae
What is a Pōwhiri?
A pōwhiri is a formal welcome where the hosts welcome manuhiri (guests) onto a place where they may not have been before. Pōwhiri are not restricted only to a marae but it is the place where a pōwhiri is most often seen. There are a few things to a pōwhiri that make up the process. Each one of these parts have significant meaning and reasons why they are a part of the process. Different iwi and different tribal areas have their own kawa or their own way of delivering the process. In Tuahiwi, Ngāi Tūāhuriri are the hapū. The people of Ngāi Tūāhuriri have the responsibility to uphold the mana of Tuahiwi marae by following the correct kawa and tikanga of Tuahiwi marae. As visitors, it is our responsibility to allow us to be guided by the tangata whenua (hosts/people of the land) and prepare ourselves appropriately.
Who has Pōwhiri?
To have a pōwhiri, you need a kaikaranga, a kaikōrero and perhaps some guidance from people skilled in this area. Kaumātua are our cultural advisors, the ones who have upheld tikanga and kawa for our people and the most knowledgeable in the realm of te ao Māori (the Māori world).
Why do we have Pōwhiri?
The pōwhiri is two groups of people coming together, working out the terms of their engagement and finishing with the manuhiri joining the tangata whenua as one. It is a spiritual journey where Gods, Heaven and Earth are acknowledged, ancestors remembered and kinship ties reinforced. It is also when goals are laid out and issues cleared up.
When do we have Pōwhiri?
In a marae setting, we have either a pōwhiri or a whakatau for all newcomers on to the marae. It is important that all waewae tapu (sacred feet—people who have never been to the marae) go through this process. Pōwhiri can be conducted almost anywhere. Some schools have pōwhiri for every new intake of students or teachers to join the school. Deciding when to have a pōwhiri is up to you and your school.