Ikaroa Hui : Powhiri

The Powhiri was at 5.30pm and due to the fact it was threatening to rain with howling wind, we had the powhiri start in the corridor instead.
Spencer Lilley led manuhiri (visitors) or us on to the marae answer the call of  the karanga (wahineof of Hosts). We advanced slowly towards the wharenui (meeting house) making our way into the wharenui lining up on the left hand side men in front and women at the rear. (normally this takes place out front of the wharenui). we then paused and bowed our heads for about two to three minutes in memory of those that have passed away. We, the visitors then wereseated, with speaker Spencer Lilley sitting in the top of the front row.  The kaumatua of the tangata whenua then commences with a whaikorero which includes acknowledgement of the Land, the wharenui, the dead, the people present and the reason for the gathering.
with few words of thanks this was followed by waiata from the rest of the tangata whenua in support and then Spencer Lilley replied on behalf of the manuhuri, we then followed with the waiata we had all learnt.

When the powhiri concluded, we (manuhiri ) were then invited to come forward in a line from to hariru (shake hands) and hongi (pressing of noses). It is through this ritual that peace, oneness in thought, purpose and hope is expressed. The hongi is a sign of life symbolizing the action of the God’s breathing into humans the breath of life. By this action the life force is permanently established and the spiritual and physical bodies become living entity.


The marae powhiri was very engaging and we were made welcome and became whanau. Our waiata was well received and this ignited the fellowship family atmosphere that was to make the weekend relaxing yet engaging and inspiring to everyone. We very quickly felt at home.