Opening a new Meeting House

Te Kawa O Te Marae

Opening a new Meeting House

By Turanga 01 

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Glossary

Te Ao Maori the Maori World

Karakia to pray or cite

Waharoa entrance to the marae

Tapu be sacred, prohibited,

Wharenui big house

Manuhiri visitors

Tangatawhenua people of the land

Hapú kinship group, clan, tribe

Iwi extended kinship group, tribe, nation

Waka kinship groups descended from the crew of a

canoe which migrated to Aotearoa

Mihi to greet, pay tribute, acknowledge, thank.

Kaikaranga head kuia/caller

Púhi young maiden

Kawa policy

Tikanga procedures

Hongi rub noses

Whakangahau to entertain, amuse.

He Roopu Rangimarie - peacekeepers

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Opening a new wharenui or meeting
house is a unique occasion in Te Ao
Maori. Tradition says the wharenui has
no life until a Tōhunga, a Maori priest,
cites special Karakia to give the house
its Mauri - its essence of life.

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The new Wharenui sits in the dark, alone, and lifeless.

Waiting . . .

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The Manuhiri arrive and stand at the Waharoa

Hearts are beating, eager, excited, and they respectfully
wait. They look to the marae, expectant, watching and
listening to the group of men huddled in the courtyard.

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It’s the Tōhunga, standing on the sacred area, the marae
átea, chanting monotones of powerful incantations that
dispel the restrictions sent from the spirit world – sacred
tapu placed on our earth mother Papatuánuku, Ranginui
the sky father, and the new Wharenui

On their right, the Tangatawhenua stand too, silently

waiting for the Tōhunga to awaken their new whare. A

spark comes to life, Ahi Kaa, the home fires are burning, it

awakens the mauri, hungry, and eager. The Tōhunga offer

kumara cooking on the fire, which makes the eating of

food noa on the marae.

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Echoes of pure passion resound, tingling chants that send
shivers up and down the spine, and all are
drawn to the Tōhunga challenges bellowed to
Túmatauenga the war god, Táwhirimátea the thunder
god, and Rúaumoko, the earth shaker.

The group of men making safe the dangers the otherworld
poses to the land, the sky, and the resources used to build
and carve the new wharenui.

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The Tōhunga turn to the Tangatawhenua

“What is the name”?
The Tangatawhenua reply the name of their new whare

“Who is it for”?
The Tangatawhenua reply their hapú, iwi, and waka.

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All feel the instant calm, tranquility descends upon the
opening and everyone feels the protection of he roopu
rangimarie,

Rongo Tane Haumia-tiketike Tangaroa
god of peace god of the forest god of wild food god of the sea

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After a respectful mihi to the living and to the ancestors,
the Kawa and Tikanga have been set for the marae and the
house is officially opened.
The Kaikaranga and Puhi open the doors and windows

And the first rays of dawn bring light to the new whare

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The Tōhunga enter, followed by the Kaikaranga and the
Puhi, the old and the new, thus making it safe for people
to enter.

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From the right, the Tōhunga walk the building and with
kawakawa leaves and commanding karakia, they instill
Kawa, Tikanga, and Mauri into the whare.

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Meanwhile, the Tangatawhenua have called on the
Manuhiri to enter the marae and help celebrate the
opening of their new wharenui.

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In some areas, the women are allowed to participate.

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As one, the people enter the new wharenui and marvel

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After final speeches they Hongi

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And then it’s time to enjoy the feasting of the Hákari

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And then be entertained under the loving embrace of he
whakangahau

The End 

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