Marae Trip 💜

I slowly step out of the bus, in front of me I see a small gate; the entrance to the marae. I wait impatiently to go inside, I had only been to a marae once before and I wondered if it was going to be the same. Then we got called in from the karanga, the karanga is when the kuia ( elderly women) call to exchange information about the purpose of the visit and to call the manuhiri ( visitors) in.

first up was the powhiri, where both hosts and visitors gave kaikorero (speeches), sung waiatas (songs) and did the hongi ( pressing foreheads together as a way of greeting.) Most of the speeches I didn't really understand because there was an abundance of maori words so I just sat quietly and patiently listened.

After the powhiri the year 8 syndicate were divided into 3 groups and all were shown around the marae. In the wharekai (dining hall) we learnt the stories behind the carvings on the wall. Behind the wharekai was a spring where we got to drink sacred water and learnt the history behind it . We were told about the culture, food, carvings and the kuia (women) who made the marae come to life!

Finally after all that learning we got served kai (food)! It was delicious. We got fish and chips and a healthy salad. To end the ka pai (great) day we finished off with speeches and then headed back to school...yay! :(