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Introduction to Tikanga Māori

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Introduction to Tikanga Māori

Read the short kōrero, then explore how greetings can express tikanga Māori. Use the context and kupu provided; local kawa (protocol) can differ, so listen and follow the host’s guidance.

Read: A class visit to Te Puna Marae

A year 10 class has been invited to visit Te Puna Marae. Before the visit, their kaiako explains that tikanga is a way of doing things grounded in Māori values and knowledge. Each marae has its own kawa, so the class should listen carefully to their hosts. At the gate, the visitors wait until they are welcomed. During the pōwhiri, they follow the hosts’ directions and remain attentive. The visitors’ speaker shares a brief mihi, acknowledging the hosts and the reason for the visit. Afterwards, everyone has time to meet and talk. The hosts provide kai, and the visitors show care by helping tidy up when invited. The kaiako explains that manaakitanga is shown through care and respect for people; whanaungatanga is about relationships and connections. The class also learns that te reo Māori greetings are more than vocabulary: who is being greeted, the setting and the relationship all matter.

Kupu to use

Kia ora — hello / thanks / be well (meaning depends on context); Tēnā koe — greetings to one person; Tēnā kōrua — greetings to two people; Tēnā koutou — greetings to three or more people; Haere mai — welcome / come here; E noho rā — goodbye, said by someone leaving to someone staying; Haere rā — goodbye, said by someone staying to someone leaving. Mihi — an acknowledgement or greeting; pōwhiri — a formal welcoming process; kaiako — teacher; kai — food.

1.The class arrives at the marae gate. Which action best shows respect for the hosts’ tikanga?

Walk straight inside so the visit can begin quickly.
Wait to be welcomed and follow the hosts’ directions.
Start a speech before anyone else speaks.
Assume every marae follows exactly the same process.

2.Match each greeting to the person or people it addresses.

Tēnā koe
Tēnā kōrua
Tēnā koutou

Two people
Three or more people
One person

3.You are greeting a group of four visitors. Choose an appropriate greeting from the kupu list and explain why it fits.

4.True or false: The passage says that every marae has identical kawa.

TrueFalse

5.Fill in the blanks using the kupu list: A formal welcoming process is a . A greeting or acknowledgement is a .

6.In the story, the visitors are invited to help tidy up after kai. Which tikanga principle does this action most clearly show? Explain your choice.

7.A friend is leaving while you remain. Which goodbye from the kupu list fits the direction of travel? Write it and explain who says it.

8.Select the two statements that are supported by the passage.

A mihi can acknowledge the hosts and the reason for a visit.
Manaakitanga means ignoring the needs of visitors.
Visitors should listen to their hosts’ directions.
A greeting always has the same meaning in every situation.

9.Explain how the setting and relationship between speakers can affect which greeting is suitable. Use one example from the kupu list.

10.Imagine a new visitor joins your group. Write a short, respectful exchange using one greeting and one suitable reply or welcome. Add a brief note explaining how your exchange shows manaakitanga or whanaungatanga.