I'll talk more about my experience driving in another video/journal where I talk about transportation. We then walked to the marae in the pouring rain. The marae is a symbol of tribal identity and is considered to be tūrangawaewae [a standing place], a place of belonging for Māori people. Every marae includes a meeting house [wharenui] and a dining hall [wharekai]. These are used for important events like funerals, tribal celebrations, and educational workshops.
Once at the marae, we waited at the waharoa [entrance to the marae]. It was raining but both myself and my son were excited to be included in this pōwhiri [a Māori welcoming ceremony]. Traditionally, a pōwhiri begins at the waharoa [entrance to the marae], starting with an initial karanga [call out, summon] usually conducted by the kaikaranga [women caller] who stands at the front. The manuhiri [visitors] are called on by a kaikaranga who begins the karanga, to which the manuhiri kaikaranga responds to. A karanga follows a particular format in keeping with protocol. This includes exchanging greetings, paying tribute to the dead (especially those who have most recently died), and referring to the reason for the groups' coming together. It has an important function in building connections between tangata whenua [people of that particular land] and manuhiri [guests], and setting the agenda for the gathering.
The women go out first followed by the males. Before entering a marae you must always take your shoes off. The men sit in the front at the marae, and the women behind. Once inside the welcoming iwi [tribe of Māori] began welcoming, speaking to those in attendance.
