Powhiri
"With your food basket and my food basket the guests will be fed".
Here at Aquinas College, we have established a tradition of powhiri a formal Maori welcome. This involves much preparation and organisation particularly when it includes our local Maori elders and members of the wider Maori community, to whom we extend an invitation to represent our school when we are welcoming distinguished guests. In so doing, we honour the mana (prestige) of the tangata whenua (people of the area) as we collectively honour the mana of our distinguished guests. We have had the occasion to welcome visitors such as Bishop Denis Browne, the Governor General, Councillor Anne Pankhurst and Judge Peter Trapski.
Within the general organisation for the start of the school year, we also welcome our new staff and students. On the morning of the powhiri, we gather as a full school at the front of the school wharenui, Te Taumata, whilst the new staff and pupils prepare themselves to be welcomed onto the marae atea (the area in front of the wharenui). On these occasions, we fulfil the roles of kai-korero (orators) and kai-karanga (women who call visitors on) within our own staff and students. We are mindful of the importance of upholding the mana of the local people as we stand in their place, whilst giving our staff and students an opportunity to go through the experience.
The whakatauk above captures the essence of why we take the time to prepare a powhiri. As a Catholic school we are demonstrating hospitality to its full extent in a Maori context; and as a collective we make the commitment to ensure that our guests feel warmly welcomed to join our Aquinas family community.
Powhiri -2012
On Thursday the 2nd of February 2012, Aquinas College held its annual powhiri to welcome new staff and students to our school.
As it was raining we had the powhiri in the gym, instead of at the Wharenui. Whaea Egan said a karakia over Te Taumata, our wharenui, which acknowledged the whare. A group of around 30 students took part in the powhiri, performing the haka and singing the waiata. The powhiri began with Whaea Egan exchanging the powerful calls of the kaikaranga.
Mr Smith then spoke the words his Whaikorero which was followed by Mr Scott who gave an impressive speech.After the speech the male students did the school haka with power and passion. Then the new students and staff and the senior teaching staff and head students of the school took part in a hongi and the shaking of hands between the new students and staff and the senior teaching staff and head students of the school.
Seeing this occur exemplified the meaning of the powhiri and showed the coming together of the new staff and students. I found taking part in the powhiri to be a worthwhile and enlightening experience. It is a great event on the school’s calendar.
Maynard Scott Year 11