Kua takoto te manuka – Take up the challenge
There is no place like New Zealand to step out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in the traditions of another culture.
Māori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand - a people who left their homelands in search of adventure and crossed the pacific in hand carved wooden waka haurua (voyaging canoes).
The unique culture of the Māori or 'tikanga Māori' as it is known in the native tongue, thrives in modern day New Zealand despite almost being lost forever last century to the hand of colonisation.
Each iwi or distinctive tribal unit has preserved the traditions handed to them by their ancestors and regardless of where you find yourself in Aotearoa, there is a component of this rich culture to be shared with you.
Legend has it that Kupe, a great Maori navigator, first discovered New Zealand more than 1000 years ago.
Kupe guided his waka (carved canoe) south from the mystical Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki through the waters of the Pacific. This new land would be named Aotearoa - Māori for land of the long white cloud.
The people of Polynesia were and still are some of the world's finest boat builders, navigators and sailors. Maori were great sea explorers, venturing through the uncharted waters of the Pacific, the way astronomers today explore space.
You too can experience the power of paddling a waka - a journey to the realm of Tangaroa, God of the sea. Learn the associated history of the waka and be taught the traditional rites involved with paddling.
On arrival at your destination, the canoe will be hauled to shore and you will be subjected to one of the most powerful rituals of the Māori - pōwhiri. The pōwhiri is the traditional Māori welcome and has a number of stages of equal importance.
First is the wero, a powerful challenge laid down by the premier fighting warriors of the tribe to the party of visitors. The purpose of the wero is to decipher whether the visitors (manuhiri) have come in peace or have arrived for the purpose of battle.
The lead warrior, usually accompanied by two others, crosses the space between the tangata whenua (local people) and manuhiri, and completes a set of movements with his taiaha (wooden combat staff). This display of athleticism and weaponry prowess is to let any potential enemies know he is well prepared and very keen should a battle ensue.
Towards the end of his set, the warrior will lay down a taki, usually a twig or small, carved item asking the guests of their intentions. A representative from the visitors will then step forward and pick up the taki to indicate they come in peace. It is rare these days for no one to step forward and pick up the taki - an act symbolic of an intention to battle.
Once the taki has been accepted, the warrior will conclude his set with a final few movements before slapping the outside of his thigh as an indication to the tangata whenua that the manuhiri comes in peace.
As the warrior slaps his thigh, a senior woman of the tangata whenua will start the karanga. The karanga is a haunting wail inviting the manuhiri to proceed towards the tangata whenua as welcomed guests. From here there will be speeches, a chance for the manuhiri and tangata whenua to hongi (press noses) and food, invariably hāngi, is always served as a finality of the process.
Hāngi is the traditional Māori method of cooking. Hot volcanic rocks are heated until white hot in a fire before being placed in a pit. Baskets of meat, fish and vegetables are then placed on top of the rocks before the pit is covered well with large leaves and then buried over to seal in the steamy heat.
There is also the opportunity for visitors to New Zealand to learn the traditional arts and crafts of the Māori, such as waiata (song), haka (pre combat posture dance), whakairo (carving) and rāranga (weaving).
Men are able to learn Ka Mate, the haka made famous internationally by the New Zealand All Black rugby team. Women can learn the poi (swinging ball instrument) and depending on varying tribal protocols, both can learn about and how to use traditional Māori weapons.
For a permanent souvenir of your cultural exchange, the brave may wish to receive a kirituhi or Māori styled tattoo. Tā moko is the Maōri art of tattoo, traditionally used to denote a person’s rank, genealogy and role within the tribe. The art form has undergone a massive resurgence in the past 50 years and today there are expert moko practitioners throughout Aotearoa.
As moko is reflective of ancestral lineage, only Māori can receive the traditonal markings. However, kirituhi (literally meaning ‘writing on the skin’) is closely related to moko, can be applied to everyone and can be individually tailored to tell the tale of your time in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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