Marae Based Training- Information Sheet for Participants
Tangi a te Matui
The call of the Matui
Kia whakarongo ake au
ki te tangi a te manu nei
a te Matui
Tu-i, Tu-i, Tuituia
Tuia i runga
Tuia i raro
Tuia i waho
Tuia i roto
Tuia i te here tangata
Ka rongo te po!
Ka rongo te ao!
Tuia e te muka tangata
I takea mai i Hawaikinui
I Hawaikiroa
I Hawaikipamamao
Te Hono i wairua
Ki te Whaiao
Ki te Ao Marama
Tihe Mauriora!
The very senses of my body
are drawn to the cry of a bird
It is the Matui
Calling tu-i, tu-i, tuituia
That it be woven above
That is be enmeshed below
That it be entwined without
That it be embraced within
Interlaced as with the threads of humanity
Let it be sensed in the night
Let it be felt in the light of day
Let it be embodied in the image of all being
Born of the Great Hawaiki
Born of the Long Hawaiki
Born of the Distant Hawaiki
From the merging of the spirits
Out into the light
Into the world of light
Behold the essence of life, the ethos of life,
The principle of life
Tihe Mauriora!
A unique and rewarding learning environment
Marae based training provides an opportunity to learn in an environment that is underpinned and
guided by Māori custom, traditions and protocol. Unlike normal classroom teaching, students are
expected to be immersed in this unique cultural environment for the duration of each session and
beyond. Sometimes discussion extends well into the night and picks up again first thing in the morning.
This approach makes marae based training challenging, rewarding and hugely experiential.
To reiterate, it is important to note that before committing to marae based training that students and
teachers are expected to stay on site for the duration of the meeting. This style of personal development
would be less effective if participants move in and out of the venue- the learnings go well beyond the
normal curriculum that takes place during the day. Teamwork and contribution is raised to a higher level.
Marae are not simply venues where people meet and eat. For Māori, marae are central and iconic to
Māori philosophy, beliefs and world views. Marae are our universities, our museums, our art galleries,
our maternity wings, our churches, our classrooms, our pre-schools, our genealogical archives, our
playgrounds, our funeral parlours and much more. Marae are safe, nurturant and sheltered
environments. They are in essence a centralised repository of all things Māori and because of this should
be treated with upmost respect and care.
Whether very experienced or not at all, this information is provided to students and participants as a
general guide to help prepare for the marae based training environment. From marae to marae there are
slight variations in terms of kawa (protocols and custom) and these will be explained to participants
before the process begins. For the purposes of preparation beforehand the following information may
be useful to you.
Note: Prepare to be stretched!
What to bring
Sleeping bag or duvet, easily removable shoes, name-tags, warm socks, writing pads, pen, good book (or
laptop), towel/s, toiletries, warm clothes, playing cards, musical instruments. Please leave radios and
portable stereos at home.
If you are bringing a laptop please try to manage the potential for distraction to others e.g. keyboard
“tapping” levels and bright screens after lights out.
Good manners for entering and staying on the marae
Here are some notes on good manners and protocol during your stay on the marae. As mentioned this is
only a guide to explain the tikanga/ custom of the tangata whenua/ local people who are our hosts. We
take our lead from them. We the visitors are called manuhiri.
The powhiri/ welcome
The following is a commonly used process for the powhiri which should provide a useful guide for
participants. Depending on location and tribal affiliation there will be small variations. These will be
explained by your group leader or tutor beforehand.
Assemble outside the Marae and wait for the powhiri to commence. Park cars outside and leave your
baggage in your vehicle until such time as you are advised to bring them in, usually sometime after the
powhiri has finished. A guide will communicate procedure before the powhiri begins. When all are ready,
assemble on the edge of the marae area or just outside the waharoa/ entrance/ gateway. By this time
speakers for the group would have been appointed- usually up to 3 speakers.
The powhiri will commence when we hear the karanga/ call from the tangata whenua our hosts. Form a
group and walk slowly towards the meeting house. Depending on who is leading the group and local
kawa/ protocols there may be one or more pauses as you near the wharenui/ meeting house. At some
point after this you may be ushered either to a seating area just outside the wharenui or into the
wharenui itself.
If you are directed into the wharenui remove all footwear before entering (maintain this approach for
the duration of the stay).
Hosts will usually start proceedings with a karakia/ prayer immediately followed by their speakers. Again
depending on location and kawa, speakers may either:
1. alternate between hosts and visitors concluded by the final speaker from the host side- this is
called Tauutuutu or
2. the host speakers will all speak in order followed by the visitors- this is called Pāeke
The hosts will almost always have the final speaker to close this part of the ceremony.
In accordance with custom waiata are usually sung after each speaker. At the conclusion of the formal
speeches we, the visitors, will then shake hands and hongi/ press noses with the hosts. With the
formalities of welcome concluded more informal details about procedure will be provided to the group.
Our programme for the day then proceeds.
Note: If you cannot avoid arriving late please come onto the marae leaving your baggage outside the
entrance until you have been formally welcomed. Go to the kitchen/ dining room, introduce yourselves
to the tangata whenua/ hosts and they will bring you over to the wharenui where you can join the group.
If in doubt always ask.
Karakia
A karakia will be said before all meals. Please do not commence eating until this has occurred. Again if
you are unsure always ask.
As customary, at the beginning and end of each day a karakia will be said or recited and occasionally
karakia will also be used in the body of the programme.
During the hui
Tidy mattresses and bedclothes neatly before breakfast. The head is considered very tapu/ sacred to
Māori, so do not sit on pillows.
Do not eat or smoke in the meeting house.
Never walk over people or across the line of speakers. Crouch and go behind at all times. Be unobtrusive.
Dress is informal, simple and neat at all times.
Do not sit or lean on dining room (or any) tables. Bottoms and food don’t mix.
Baggage is brought in when formalities are over, not before.
Keep clothes in suitcases or neatly folded on top. Do not hang any clothing or belongings from the walls.
Always remove footwear before entering the wharenui. Before retiring bring your shoes inside. Store in a
plastic bag and put with your other belongings.
Once you are part of the group and have been welcomed on, you become one of the tangata whenua/
hosts. You should be prepared to help with the chores both inside and out. Don’t be afraid to offer your
help. There is always something to do. As tangata whenua we take great pride in keeping all areas, both
inside and out of the marae clean and tidy.
At some point during your stay it is likely that the tangata whenua will join you to talk about local history
and share stories that are from their area. They may also talk about the wharenui, wharekai and other
aspects. This is very much an extension of your learning and we encourage full participation in these
discussions.
Marae based learning should be an enjoyable, safe and rewarding experience. In order for this to occur it
is important that you find out all you can beforehand and ask questions throughout the stay. Those with
the answers will be more than happy to share their knowledge.
There are many other details but this information should provide a useful starting point.
Kaumatua and Kuia/ Tribal Elders
Finally, it is likely that you will meet the local kaumatua/ elders, the entrusted repositories of sacred lore,
genealogy and history for the tangata whenua. These people are very much loved, valued and cared for.
Whenever possible take time to make time with them, attend to their need for comfort and assist them
whenever necessary. Above all look, learn and listen- the time spent could be an opportunity for a
lifelong and perhaps life-changing experience.
Summed up perhaps in the following Māori maxim:
Ka Rangatira te tangata mehemea e tana kuia ia e manaaki. Pēnā ākina nei e ngā hau ko tana kuia hei
whakaruruhau mōna.
A Māori welcomed home and nurtured by his beloved kuia is rich indeed. When the whole world is
against you, your kuia will always be your friend.
Nga mihimihi ki a koutou katoa.
Best wishes to you all.