13 February - 19 February

Mihimihi

Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

• describe tikanga (customs) associated with mihi
• mihi to your classmates
• perform a waiata tautoko
• recite a new karakia

Whakatauki

“He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata!” 

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people!

Manaakitanga or caring for people is of the utmost importance in te ao Māori. Whakawhanaungatanga is about building relationships, acknowledging people for who they are and trying to make connections. 

Tikanga Māori - Inoi / Karakia/ Mihimihi/ Waiata tautoko

In Te Ao Māori karakia are ritual chants invoking spiritual guidance and protection. They are performed in every aspect of life. For example: welcoming the dawn and farewelling the day, to ensure a safe journey, blessing food, carving a wharenui etc. With the introduction of Christianity to New Zealand in the 19th Century, new karakia were written to acknowledge the Christian God and Jesus Christ.

Similarly in most gatherings (hui) it is customary for a person to welcome everyone that is attending by performing a mihi whakatau. Following the mihi a waiata is sung in support of the person who welcomed everyone. In class this year all students will learn waiata and how to give a mihi whakatau.