As part of my orientation at Palmerston North we took part in a Maori ceremony called a powhiri (pronounced po fier re). The powhiri is the ritual ceremony of encounter and signifies two groups coming together in the sacred act of hongi, singing songs, pressing noses, exchanging the ha or breath of life and joining as one.
We were called into the room by our hosts after friendly intent is established and a formal welcoming of guests (manuhiri) by the hosts (tangata whenua or home people) begins. This is performed by the lead Maori male. He acknowledges our ancestors who support and surround us with pride. He then acknowledges the sacred mountains and rivers that make up this part of New Zealand. We sing a song and then come together in the center of the room and move down the line pressing noses, exchanging the breath of life and joining as one with our hosts. Wonderful welcome to New Zealand!!! Kia Ora.
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