Rotary Club of Porirua Sundown members
attended the Waitangi Day February 6 celebration at Takapuwahia Marae, in
Porirua, New Zealand. The group was there as guests of the Mayor of Porirua Nick
Leggett, who also invited new migrant families who have moved to the area from
overseas.
The
ceremony started with a welcome (or powhiri in Maori) on to the marae. Rotarian
Pania Houkamau-Ngaheu began with the exchange of calls (karanga) which clears
the spiritual pathway for the ancestors of the host and visitors to meet. We
were then challenged by a warrior who laid a leaf on the ground. The leader of
the menfolk picked the leaf up to show that we came in peace. The women were led
into the wharenui (meeting house) first, followed by the men. There were a
series of speeches and waiata (songs) in Maori, followed by the traditional
greeting (hongi) for the hosts (tangata whenua) to greet their special guests.
Then there was a welcome in English and an interesting history of the Ngatitoa
tribe.
The
interior of the whare was decorated with traditional carvings with woven wall
coverings.
It
was a very interesting visit and a great opportunity to experience the local
Maori culture. All of the visitors really appreciated the opportunity to visit
the marae on such a significant day.
