Pōwhiri
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Powhiri is a Māori welcoming ceremony involving speeches, singing and hongi.
A powhiri is not "performed" for every group of manuhiri (visitor) who go onto a marae. It is often reserved for special visitors or for tupapaku (the arrival of the body of the deceased) for a tangihanga (funeral). On some occasions the powhiri begins before the karanga (the call), at other times it begins after the karanga has started. At some point the karanga and the powhiri will be taking place at the same time. For the powhiri, the kai karanga (female caller) usually stands to the side and slightly to the front of the remainder of the tangata whenua (hosts). Those who take part in the powhiri include elders and young people (men/women). After the manuhiri (guests) and tangata whenua are seated both sides will have speakers, beginning with the tangata whenua. The ceremonial tapu (sacred) is lifted when tangata whenua and manuhiri make physical contact (hariru, hongi etc.) from Te Marae: a guide to customs and protocol
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/culture/powhiri/powhiri-introduction.cfm
