Before the powhiri can begin, the hosts must challenge the manuhiri (visitors) to make sure of their intentions and rest assured they come in peace. On the Waitangi National Trust estate this is known as the taki. On other marae (tribal meeting places) it is known as the wero.
| Sketches from life of different aspects of the haka by William Strutt, 1855 or 1856 |
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'Wero', literally means 'to cast a spear' and is the traditional challenge accorded to distinguished visitors. Witnessing the taki or wero is an experience best described as both frightening and mesmerising.
At Waitangi, you will see three warriors appear from the ranks of the host people with all the grace and alertness of the karearea (native falcon). As they pirouette, stomp and grimace, their weapons move in calculated arches of blinding motion. Eyes that never waiver try to determine whether you, the visitor, come in peace. If your intentions are friendly, then you must accept the rautapu, a leaf or carved effigy, and symbolic offering of peace.
Once the challenge is completed, the warriors will guide you on to the sacred ground of the marae, while the karanga or call of the women of the tribe welcomes you.
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