Pōwhiri guide

Protocols differ from marae to marae and this guide gives staff, students and visitors an insight into how the pōwhiri/welcome is carried out.

The group will require at least 1 male speaker (kaikorero). If there is an adult female wanting to return the karanga (a kaikaranga) this is also welcomed. Please ensure all mobile phones are turned off, nobody is eating and everyone is respectfully listening to the kaikaranga while moving onto the marae and during the procedure of the pōwhiri.

The group gathers together closely at the waharoa which is the gateway to the marae ātea (forecourt between the waharoa and the wharenui/carved house).

The karanga (welcoming call) from tangata whenua/host (adult female) is given. This acknowledges the arrival of manuhiri (visitors) and invites manuhiri to move slowly and respectfully onto the marae led by an adult female followed by women and children, in turn followed by the men, i.e., men should position themselves at the back of the women.

Visitors will stop approximately 10 metres in front of the carved house and a minute’s silence will be observed (bowing our heads) to remember our loved ones - both tangata whenua and manuhiri - that have passed on.

The karanga also acknowledges the kaupapa (reason) for their visit, who the visitors are, and, if known, where they are from. When the kaikaranga calls again, it is accepted that the manuhiri have come in peace and you can move forward again towards your seats inside the wharenui Don’t forget to remove your shoes before entering the wharenui, remember to not clutter the doorway.

Once manuhiri have reached their seats, they should remain standing until the kaikorero tangata whenua indicates that they may sit. Men only are to sit in the front row of seats provided. The last speaker is to sit on the chair closest to the doorway. If there is more than one speaker, they will sit to the right of the last speaker.

First a waiata/song is to be sung by the host; manuhiri/visitors also are asked to sing the waiata if they know the words. A karakia/prayer is then recited.

The first kaikorero tangata whenua/host speaker will open up the welcoming speeches, followed by a waiata, then kaikorero manuhiri/speaker for the visitors will be offered the right of reply, which on the marae should be in Māori.

There may be more than one speaker on the manuhiri side. Each speech is followed by an appropriate waiata.  

If there is a koha it is to be laid down by the last speaker for the manuhiri followed by a waiata. This will then be picked up and acknowledged by the tangata whenua.

The last speaker from the tangata whenua/host will now stand to complete the protocol of speeches. This completes the pōwhiri, and manuhiri will now be invited to move across to hariru/shake hands or hongi with the tangata whenua/host.

This in turn is followed by refreshments.

We ask that manuhiri respect a tidy dress code. Absolutely no sports shorts, singlets or unpresentable dress attire. If you are late, do not walk onto the marae or into the carved house. That would be disrespectful.

Kia ora koutou. You are now tangata whenua and part of the faculty and university whānau.

Waiata – Whakaaria Mai