Welcome to Tauranga

We started our 3-hour drive Friday afternoon and arrived in Tauranga at 530PM, right on time for our welcome at the Marae.

We were briefly prepped for the welcome ceremony but the only thing we knew for sure was that the girls had to wear skirts and Steph and I needed to prepare a song for our group to sing.

As we got out of the vans, we lined up at the entrance of the Marae, girls in the front, boys in the back, and at the very front we were led in by 2 Maori girls. A woman was standing in front of us, and she was calling out to us, while the two Maori girls called back to her – a sort of call and response that signified that we were welcome to walk in. We walked in and were seated, this time girls in the back and boys in the front. The history of these walking/seating arrangements is that historically when the Maori entered the Marae, they could be attacked from behind, so the women were put in front in order that they might be protected from the attackers. Similarly, once seated, the danger would have come from the front, so the men sat at the front to once again protect the women. I thought that was pretty cool because we hear about so many cultures that don’t value women, but the Maori value women very highly… as we were told, they are looked to as holding the “spirit of life” within them.

Next, one of the Maori men made a speech to us, which we did not understand because the whole thing was in Maori. It sounded pretty angry if you ask me, and he was pretty intimidating to top it all off, but we were assured later that it was a warm welcome. All the Maoris that were there sang us a song next, which again we did not understand. Sounded nice though. Afterward, it was our turn, and Andy (one of our staff) had to make a speech back to them, just thanking them for having us, and then we sang our song to them (How Great is Our God). At that point, we lined up and did what they call a “hongi” – a Maori custom where you put your face up to the other persons face – forehead and nose touching, and you both breathe in. This is to signify that we both breathe the same air – i.e. we are related. This is the final step to being welcomed into the Marae! Here's a cool picture I found to illustrate -

Later that night we had a dinner that they had prepared for us in the typical food preparation style of "hangi" - basically, the food is cooked over hot coals in the ground, buried and cooked all day, and then taken out when you're ready to eat.

We all stayed in the Marae together on mattresses on the floor. It was incredibly entertaining hearing who snores, who talks in their sleep, who wakes up too early and who goes to bed too late.

It was definitely a growing experience for all of us - we feel a lot closer as a group now I think, which is always really cool. More to come soon...