Tangihanga

Tangihanga, also spelled tangihanga and commonly called a tangi, is the traditional Māori funeral rite in Aotearoa New Zealand. It centers on mourning and honoring the deceased, conducted by whānau (family) and the wider iwi (tribe). The practice is a key expression of tikanga (customary law) and collective mourning in Māori culture.

A tangihanga typically begins when the body is prepared by trusted elders and whānau and laid in state at a marae, a home, or a church. The mourning period can last one or more days, during which visitors travel to pay respects. Participants engage in karakia (prayers) and waiata (songs); formal speeches (whaikōrero) may be given to acknowledge the deceased and share memories. The gathering emphasizes hospitality, support for the bereaved, and spiritual reflection, with the concepts of tapu (sacred) and noa (unrestricted) guiding conduct.

Attendees often stay on or near the marae, and food is shared as part of the healing process. The final stage is interment or cremation, after which the family and community begin to wind down the mourning period. In modern contexts tangihanga may occur on marae, at funeral homes, or in urban settings, and practices vary between iwi, hapū, and individual families.

Tangihanga remains a central expression of Māori identity and community, reinforcing family ties and collective responsibility while accommodating regional differences and contemporary arrangements.