pwhiri

Pōwhiri, often spelled pōwhiri, is a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony used to greet visitors (manuhiri) and invite them onto a marae or into a gathering space. It serves to acknowledge the mana and whakapapa of the hosts (tangata whenua) and to establish safe, respectful relations between groups. The ceremony is a central part of Māori cultural protocol and is practiced at marae, schools, official events, and community gatherings throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

A typical pōwhiri combines ritual speech, song, and gesture. It commonly begins with a wero, a ritual challenge by a male from the tangata whenua intended to test the visitors’ intentions. This is followed by the karanga, a call to the visitors performed by women of the host group, inviting them to respond and to approach the marae. The visitors usually reply with their own karanga or waiata, and the two sides exchange greetings. The next stage often involves mihi whakatau (formal speeches) and waiata (songs) that acknowledge ancestry, purpose, and relationships. The ceremony usually culminates with the hongi, the pressing of noses, which symbolically shares breath and life force, after which the visitors are formally welcomed onto the marae and may partake in food or tea as part of the gathering.

Pōwhiri remains a living tradition and is adapted to fit various contexts, including official, educational, and community events. While traditional elements are preserved, the emphasis and order of components can vary according to the specific occasion and participants.