At the start of every year, Year 9's, other new students and new staff are traditionally welcomed to UHC with a pōwhiri. This year's has had to be delayed due to Covid but it has finally happened. 9CD's Mia Montgomery gives us a first hand account of the experience.

A Pōwhiri is a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony that involves speeches, cultural performances, and a hongi. 

This year, Upper Hutt College’s pōwhiri was postponed until the start of June. The pōwhiri started out with a karanga (call) followed by the Upper Hutt College kapa haka group doing a performance lead by Matua Jackie. 

After that whaikōrero (speeches) were said then it was time to guide the manuhiri (guests) to the side of the tangata whenua (natives). That's when two Year 13 student leaders guided two Year 9's to the tangata whenua side. 

After more waiata were sung, we tried to have a covid-friendly hongi, while instead doing it the traditional way we used our elbows to greet one another. Although it was sad the pōwhiri was delayed it was great to finally be welcomed into our school.