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Mihi Whakatau Leadership Practice

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Mihi Whakatau Leadership Practice

A visiting crew is arriving at the Aotearoa Space Station. Practise welcoming them with manaakitanga and clear te reo Māori. Mihi whakatau tikanga can differ between iwi and settings; follow the guidance of mana whenua and local organisers. You may adapt the sample wording with their guidance.

Read the briefing

Wiremu and Aisha are helping host visitors at the Aotearoa Space Station. Their kaiako explains that the welcome should make manuhiri (visitors) feel respected and included. The hosts are tangata whenua or tangata tiaki for this event, depending on the local setting and guidance. A designated kaikōrero (speaker) may offer the welcome, while other students help visitors find a place and feel at ease. The group checks the appropriate local tikanga before the event. A possible opening, if appropriate for the setting, is: “Tēnā koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai ki [place]. Ko Wiremu tōku ingoa.” This means: “Greetings to you all. Welcome to [place]. Wiremu is my name.” Replace the place and name as needed. A greeting is only one part of hosting well: listening, preparation, and care matter too.

Understand the welcome

1.In this briefing, what is the main purpose of a mihi whakatau?

To welcome and acknowledge manuhiri
To test the visitors’ knowledge
To introduce only the speaker
To entertain the visitors

2.Match each te reo Māori word or phrase to its meaning.

manuhiri
kaikōrero
Nau mai, haere mai

speaker
Welcome
visitors

3.What does “Tēnā koutou katoa” mean in the sample opening?

4.True or false: Every mihi whakatau follows exactly the same tikanga, wherever it takes place.

TrueFalse

Practise leadership

5.Wiremu is the kaikōrero. Name two responsibilities he could take on to help the welcome go well.

6.A visitor arrives looking unsure where to go. Give one practical action that shows manaakitanga, and explain how it helps.

7.Complete the sample introduction: “Ko tōku ingoa.” It means “ is my name.”

8.The hosts are unsure whether a planned action is appropriate. What should they do before the visitors arrive, and why?

9.Write a two-line welcome for the visiting crew. Include one suitable greeting from the briefing and one action or idea that helps visitors feel included. Adapt the words to the local guidance.