Waiata
Attendees at Some Like It Hot will participate in a powhiri (welcome ceremony) hosted by Te Puia - the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. When we gather at the entrance to Te Puia, our host will explain the protocol and order for the ceremony. We will be called in and will walk quietly as one group into an open space in front of a meeting house. Here we will be challenged by the hosts (tangata whenua) to declare our intentions and ensure we come in peace.
Then follows the formal welcome speeches and response. A song (waiata) follows each speech and as a group we have one waiata to learn.
Click here for a recording of our waiata if you want to practice before you come. The words are listed below. We will also have a group practice at 4pm at the conference venue.
Te aroha
Te whakapono
Me te rangimarie
Tatou tatou e
(translates as Love, faith and peace be amongst us all)
After the formal speeches there will be a short performance before we have a tour of the site.
One important piece of protocol to observe is that eating (including chewing gum) is not accepted during the welcome and in the meeting-house. A welcome is traditionally followed by food, which will be served after our tour.
Learn more about the meanings behind different parts of the powhiri.
