Gathering
We stood in clusters in the carpark prior to the pōwhiri starting. I experienced the usual social discomfort of making small-talk with people – some that I knew, and some that were new to me.

Finding a friend, we stood together talking about our journey up to the marae. Seeing somebody standing alone, I welcomed him in and began the process of building whanaungatanga: what’s your name; where are you from; what do you do with yourself; what brought you here?

In a similar sense, the kaikaranaga and kaikōrero began their formal roles while still in the carpark. They moved amongst the manuhiri as we stood dispersed in small groups, answering key questions for themselves that would be required to satisfy the demands of their roles in the pōwhiri process.

It was at this moment that the kaikaranga began their critical role of ‘rolling out the spiritual mat of welcome onto the marae’ as the moment of connection approached. This points to the role of karanga as spiritual weavers as their voices intermingle in the space between the parties. They acknowledge universal human experiences: the grief of lost loved ones; the desire to establish personal connections.

Exchanging
We crossed onto the tāpu ground of Maungarongo Marae with the karanga still ringing in our ears. We waited in silence as the tangata whenua sitting on the paepae talked and chuckled together, before the first kaikōrero stood and led the exchange of greetings. I was immediately struck by his commanding presence: the way that he used his carved stick to add weight to his words; the tone and richness of his Reo; how evident it was that he was weaving together the whakapapa of those gathered. Then came our kaikōrero who stood – one after the other – representing the manuhiri. There was a long pause before each stood, and they both seemed to be steeling themselves before uttering the first word. Later, I came to realise that this space represented a risk and challenge for the kaikōrero. In the moment, I felt deeply protected by our kaikōrero, trusting that their knowledge and confidence was sufficient. This was an emotional and almost spiritual response which reminded me of Psalm 23: 4-5 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Connecting
Suddenly we were all on our feet, closing this sacred time with a waiata that marked the moment when the two parties became one – with the manuhiri being invited to approach the tangata whenua to hongi and harirū. To me there were strong parallels with Galatians 3:28 in this pinnacle moment – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

By Ben Pringle.

Ben Pringle is part of a group from the Anglican Diocese of Wellington enrolled in the Otago University Māori Religion and Theology paper. Part of this paper involves a week-long block course based at Maungarongo Marae in Ōhope.