Beginner’s guide to Māori culture
Kia ora: the traditional greeting of the indigenous M āori people, used to
welcome visitors.
Kaitiakitanga: the term used to describe the spiritual bond between M āori
and the land. They regard land, soil and water as taonga (treasures). M āori see
themselves as the kaitiaki (guardians) of this taonga.
Manaakitanga: the M āori principle of hospitality: that every guest is treated with
the highest respect and made to feel welcome, safe and comfortable.
P ōwhiri: a welcome ceremony that provides a special opportunity for visitors
to experience M āori traditions in action. A p ōwhiri normally takes place on a
marae, a meeting ground that sits at the heart of any M āori community.
Hongi: a M āori greeting and the
ceremonial touching of noses.
Haka: a type of ancient M āori war dance
traditionally used on the battlefield, as
well as when groups came together
in peace. Haka are a fierce display of a
tribe’s pride, strength and unity.
Opposite page from left: Group
enjoying a hangi, a traditional
Mā ori method of cooking; Haka
being performed for guests;
Auckland War Memorial Museum;
Hongi, a Mā ori greeting.
Kapa haka: the term for M āori performing
arts and literally means to form a line
(kapa) and dance (haka). It involves an
emotional and powerful combination of
song, dance and chanting.
place’ or ‘we’ll see you at home’. I
wondered what they were talking
about when I first heard them say
it, and they said ‘the Museum, it’s
our place, come to our home’. The museum’s M āori cultural
group perform daily scheduled
performances to visitors and
are also available after hours for
both onsite and offsite events.
“That is their style, they welcome
you to their venue as if they’re
welcoming you into their home.” “Almost every international
group that comes here for their
special occasion, conference
dinner or welcome cocktail will
engage with the M āori cultural
group onsite. It’s such a special
thing to experience,” she says.
Auckland War Memorial
Museum has a rich history that
dates back to the 1920s and, as
head of sales Jenn Haliday will
tell you, it’s a favourite amongst
locals and visitors alike. While
the museum has been developed
and updated over time, its
cultural influence remains strong
throughout the venue.
“It has grown, along with
Auckland city, but it’s very
iconic and very much loved as
an institution,” says Haliday.
“In terms of other venues in
Auckland, there’s nothing else
like it. We have eight variable
spaces, and they’re all quite
different from each other.”
Haliday says the M āori culture
is a key element of New
Zealand’s society and “a core
aspect of who we are as people”.
Sullivan says the key to
effectively incorporating a
cultural element into events is
to make it seamless.
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AUCKLAND MUSEUM
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+64 9 302 9765
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During a greeting or a p ōwhiri,
a traditional M āori welcome
ceremony, the speaker will
alternate between M āori and
English, to ensure everyone
understands the proceedings
and feels included.
“It has to be seamless, it’s got
to be woven in as a part of what
you do,” Sulliva n says.
“If we can bring that cultural
element in in a nice way, it just
differentiates us and makes us
unique.”
www.cimmagazine.com Convention & Incentive Marketing, Issue 2, 2017 37