Pōhwhiri Practice

Powhiri is next week and we have been oiling our Haka muscles. If you have been at pick up you might have heard some pretty powerful renditions of Toia Mai and some very sweet singing.

We have also been learning about the purpose of powhiri and the roles that the many different people play in order for the powhiri to take place. An example of this is the Kaikōrero who cannot speak without the support of the Kaikaranga.

The marae is a place where different people meet. They share ideas, sometimes dispute and argue and, in most cases they come to agreement. The marae is the domain of Tūmatauenga, the god of war but in our case we look to Rongo, the god of peace. Rongomātane is normally the god of the Wharenui where people meet after the powhiri. We don’t have a Whare so we conduct that part of the ceremony on our Marae.

Our place is one in which the kaupapa of peace, positive education and wellbeing are at our foundations so our Powhiri is welcoming and a beautiful occasion. See you there!