A pōwhiri is a traditional Maori ritual whereby the host people (tangata whenua) welcome visitors (manuhiri) to our "marae" - school. The process starts with a "karanga". Visitors are then led onto the "marae" (into the hall), where they will be welcomed by a haka. A short speech will be made by school staff. As a result of this encounter, the manuhiri are recognised as "friends" not "foe" and cease being manuhiri, but now count among the tangata whenua.
A "waiata" is sung and finally kai (food) is shared to complete the process. Traditionally this would be a hākari (feast), but at school we tend to share cake and biscuits.
