We look forward to officially welcoming our new ākonga and whānau at the Term 2 Mihi Whakatau, 9.15am on 14 May!

New children and their whānau are to meet at 8.55am in the Learning Hub to be briefed by Maria, and to have the chance to discuss protocol and practice the waiata (song).

Children in the Kapa haka group should go to class to be marked off the roll, then meet at the hall at 9am to get ready. The mihi whakatau (similar to a pōwhiri) starts around 9.15am and takes around 40 minutes.  It is customary to share kai (food) afterwards, so new families and staff are invited to stay for morning tea in the staffroom.

What is a mihi whakatau?

The mihi whakatau is a traditional Māori welcome ceremony. The purpose of the mihi whakatau is to remove the tapu of the Manuhiri (visitors) to make them one with the Tangata Whenua (Home people). It is a gradual process of the Manuhiri and the Tangata Whenua coming together.

It is similar to a pōwhiri, but less formal and more flexible. It's used in many different contexts and can be adapted to suit many types of occasion.