TURANGA WAI WAI - Our Marae Visit

TURANGA WAI WAI - Our Marae Visit

Arriving at 10.30am on Monday, 1 August 2016 we got to Turanga wai wai marae .When we entered through the gates the powhiri had started.The kuia did the karanga and we waited until everyone was seated, one of the locals welcomed us and did their mihi.

Mr Pene, our Southwell representative, replied with his mihi and thanked the locals on our behalf of us and placed a koha on the ground.

This followed with the locals singing a song to us then southwell singing a song to them called ka waita and we then all took part with a handshake and hongi after the songs.

Splitting into groups, we had guides give us a tour of the marae, giving us the history, for example when it was built, who the kings were and all the buildings on site.  The Waikato river runs alongside, with spring water supplying the marae.   It was interesting to learn about the needle hanging down in the dining hall representing "we are all together".  It was very distinctive, with the top of the needle being a carved man and 2 metres long so it stood out. The marae was set up in 1921, for a cost of $5,000 which was still a lot of money back then, as they only earned $5 a day.  

After the tour, the group meet together for a lunch of fish and chips before climbing back on the bus for our return to school.

On reflection the trip was interesting although I would have liked to experience a traditional lunch or 'food' that represented maori culture.

Glossary
Hongi - to greet someone.  When nose touch each other.
Mihi - a personal speech about yourself, where you come from, family.
Ka Waita - the song.
Marae - home of the king, is a fenced in place with carved buildings and grounds that belong to a particular tribe (iwi), sub tribe (hapū) or family ( whānau).
Powhiri - a welcoming process
Kuia - female elder, who did the karanga.
Karanga - call out/summons - forms part of a powhiri.
Koho - gift.