Visitors are now seated opposite their hosts. For Maori this is a time to give thanks for the safe arrival of their visitors and to remember those who have passed on into the spirit world.
Karakia are prayers that acknowledge a spiritual presence. Although still an important component of Maori culture today, karakia, interpreted and used in the modern sense, are quite different to what was used by the ancestors of present day Maori.
In former times, when Maori were even more aware of tapu or spiritual restrictions governing the welfare of an individual and the society in which they lived, karakia were composed to meet every possible contingency in daily life. Before the arrival of Christianity, Maori tohunga or priests established oral communication with their gods by means of karakia. When applied to a specific realm or occasion, each karakia would identify and acknowledge gods, demi gods and lesser spiritual deities so that nothing untoward should befall those involved.
During a powhiri, the tangata whenua (people of the land) and manuhiri (visitors) often participate in karakia. This unites everyone present in body and spirit, and blesses the occasion.
Once the karakia is completed, things begin to lighten up. It's time for the mihi and whaikorero, which amongst other things, talk about issues of the day and the reason for gathering.
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