Powhiri or whakatau is a ceremony or process whereby to acknowledge and enhance the intrinsic sacredness of the Supreme Being/Divine/Io/God, people and creation by promoting encounters of life seen and unseen which can be expressed as meetings of tapu (sacredness)and mana (dignity)with their links to Spirituality, Whakapapa, extended family heritage, peoples, cultural lands and the Universe in her entirety.

It is in the spirit of goodwill and the spirit of the Treaty seeking wellbeing that tikanga ways are expressed to acknowledge, address and enhance right relationships at encounters of people with the Divine Nature, people with people, people and places, people and events on many occasions globally for many reasons and for today where the whanau members of NZAC come together to share and enhance their knowledge and experiences with the dance in dynamics of whanaungatanga.

Te Atiawa are the Mana whenua of this rohe in Whanganui a tara(Wellington) therefore it is fitting that we follow Te Atiawa Tikanga.

1) Manuhiri gather in assembly place

2) Karanga from Kaikaranga (could be followed and suppported with a hakapowhiri)

3) Reply from Manuhiri Kaikaranga

4) Wahine walk on first then on entry to the marae or marae space the tane lead to hongi in        the first instance with the hosts and then make their way to the seats prepared.

  Tane in the front rows first. Everyone else follows and find a seat behind the tane.

5) Karakia

6) Himene

7) Mihi Whakatau (Could be 1 or 2 speakers)

8) Waiata (According to number of speakers)

9) Mihi Whakahoki (Could be 1 or 2 speakers)

10) Waiata (according to number of speakers)

11) Whakanoa (Refreshments)

1) Hosts welcome the gathering manuhiri with a Conch and or Karanga Hosts.

The Karanga is a first vocal expression weaving across the expanse. It is a voice that provides a safe pathway that sets a foundation for the gathering to build upon.

Weaving the kaupapa of wisdom gained from the past living in the present looking to the future in this encounter with care and aroha.

2) Haka Powhiri: Toia mai

Toia mai-te waka: Ki te urunga te waka. Ki te moenga-te waka

Ki te takotoranga takoto ai te waka.

3) Karanga Whakahoki Manuhiri

4) Nga kete and Taumata are processed in with the Guests for the powhiri process.

Tane ma followed by Kaikaranga to hongi and hariru before going to their seats already prepared.

5) A karakia is shared followed with a Himene (All still standing)

6) Tama Ngakau Marie                  Son of peace

    Tama a te Atua                         Son of (God)the Divine

    tenei tonu matou                      Here we are always

    Arohanina mai                          Show us compassion

    Murua ra nga hara                    wipe away our sins

    Wetekina mai                           and unshackle

    Enei herekino                           these evil ties

    Whakararu nei                          that are so troublesome.

    tenei arahina                            This is where we wish to be led

    A tutuki noa                              to a good end and

    Puta I te pouri                           overcoming darkness

    Whakararu nei                           and attaining paradise

    Return to the beginning (Tama Ngakau)

7) Mihi Welcome (Kaumatua) (All e noho)

8) Waiata Kinaki: (E Tu the ones who are not manuhiri on the day to support in the                   waiata/Slow version)

Ehara i te mea no inaianei te aroha

No nga tupuna i tuku iho i tuku iho

Te whenua te whenua hei oranga mo te iwi

No nga tupuna, i tuku iho, i tuku iho

Whakapono, Tumanako, te aroha te aroha

No nga Tupuna, i tuku iho, i tuku iho.

Translation:

It is not of just now that we have learnt about love but a value bequeathed from our ancestors,

The land and all its resources bequeathed from the ancestors,

Faith, hope and love, values bequeathed from the ancestors.

9) Mihi whakahoki(Manuhiri)

10) Waiata (from Manuhiri):

Te aroha, Te whakapono

Me te rangimarie tatou tatou e x2

Love, faith and peace is all of ours, ours, ours.

11) Whakanoa (Refreshments)

Manaakitangata is paramount to people who have a common purpose.  Sharing resources and support for the shared kaupapa is celebrated.

Hospitality is most important to the living and not too far from our minds remembering loved ones gone for we continue their dreams of a better world for the generations to come and especially for tangata whenua, Pakeha, Tauiwi and all who choose Aotearoa to be their home here after.