What is Māori etiquette?

It's sacred and many sites are off limits. When visiting a meeting house (Wharenui) remove your shoes and do not consume food. Maori meeting grounds (Marae) deserve respect. Seek permission before entering. When served a meal wait until a blessing is said before eating.

What is considered rude in Māori culture?

Traditionally Māori society is very hierarchical and crossing in front of a more 'senior' person is considered rude.

How do you show respect in NZ?

Once they develop a personal relationship, they are friendly, outgoing and social. Do not appear too forward or overly friendly. They respect people who are honest, direct, and demonstrate a sense of humour. They trust people until they are given a reason not to.

What are some tikanga practices?

Tikanga tips

• Heads. Avoid touching another person's head, unless invited. ...
• Pillows. Avoid sitting directly on pillows or cushions. ...
• Hats. Avoid putting hats on food tables. ...
• Food. Avoid passing food over anybody's head. ...
• Tables and bags. ...
• Speaking. ...
• Stepping.

What are Māori cultural traditions?

Māori culture is a rich and varied one, and includes traditional and contemporary arts. Traditional arts such as carving, weaving, kapa haka (group performance), whaikorero (oratory) and moko (tattoo) are practised throughout the country.

What do Māori face tattoos mean?

Since the Maori people consider the head to be the most sacred part of the body, the most popular kind of Maori tattoo was the facial tattoo, which was composed of curved shapes and spiral like patterns. Often this tattoo covered the whole face and was a symbol of rank, social status, power and prestige.

What is Māori food?

Along with root vegetables, they also introduced Kiore (the Polynesian rat) and Kurī (the Polynesian dog), both valuable sources of meat. Māori hunted a wide range of birds (such as mutton birds and moa), collected seafood and gathered native ferns, vines, palms, fungi, berries, fruit and seeds.

What are the 5 Māori values?

We have distilled five key values that underpin Māori leadership.

• Whakaiti - humility. Whakaiti is a key term in Māori leadership. ...
• Ko tau rourou and manaakitanga - altruism. ...
• Whanaungatanga - others. ...
• Tāria te wā and kaitiakitanga - long-term thinking, guardianship. ...
• Tikanga Māori - cultural authenticity.

What are the principles of tikanga Māori?

Tikanga includes Māori beliefs that are inherited values and concepts practised from generation to generation. This is demonstrated at tangihana (the mourning process before burial). Values include the importance of te reo (language), whenua (land), and in particular whānau (family and extended family group).

What is marae tikanga?

Tikanga or Conduct on the marae is very general in nature; it is based respect for yourself, others and your surroundings and on common sense. In the Wharenui/Meeting house. • You should not just walk onto a marae; you need to be welcomed on.

What is considered rude in NZ?

It is often considered impolite to ask a direct question about someone's salary, wealth, weight or age. Spitting in public is considered rude. Calling someone over by yelling “Oi” can be interpreted as rude or even antagonising. To call over a waiter or person of service, do not wave or yell.

How do New Zealanders say thanks?

Use kia ora to wish someone well as a greeting or farewell, to say thank you, to affirm support, or to say a friendly 'cheers'. You can also use kia ora to answer the phone or start an email.

How do Kiwis greet each other?

The 'Hongi' is a traditional Maori greeting in New Zealand used by the Maori people. To hongi you press your nose and forehead together with the nose and forehead of the person you are greeting. Many people of Maori decent prefer to hongi, instead of shaking hands.

What is Māori tapu?

Tapu is the strongest force in Māori life. It has numerous meanings and references. Tapu can be interpreted as 'sacred', or defined as 'spiritual restriction', containing a strong imposition of rules and prohibitions. A person, object or place that is tapu may not be touched or, in some cases, not even approached.

Why do Māori open their eyes so wide?

For women, pūkana involves opening their eyes wide and jutting out their chin. For men, it means widening their eyes and stretching out their tongue or baring their teeth. Though these expressions may be intimidating, they are not necessarily a sign of aggression but may show strong and deep-felt emotions.

What is Noa in Māori?

Noa means ordinary, common or free from restriction or the rules of tapu. Often ceremonies were carried out to remove the influence of tapu from objects or people so people were able to act without restrictions.

What are the 3 principles of the Treaty of Waitangi?

The “3 Ps” comprise the well-established Crown Treaty framework – the principles of partnership, participation and protection.

What did Māori drink?

Introduction. Māori did not have alcohol before Europeans arrived; when they were introduced to it, most did not like it. It was called waipiro (stinking water), wai kaha (strong water), or, by the few who liked it, waipai (good water).

What does Kai mean to Māori?

The Māori word for food is kai.

Did the Māori eat seals?

Māori sealing

They were an obvious prey for Māori. As the naturalist Johann Reinhold Forster recorded, seal meat was 'a most excellent & palatable food; by far more tender, juicy & delicate than beefstakes'. In addition, seal teeth were valuable for fish hooks.

What is Māori chin tattoo?

Tā moko for men and women

As māori believe the head is the most sacred part of the body, facial tattoos have special significance. Moko kauae - are received by women on their lips and chin. A moko kauae represents a woman's whānau and leadership within her community, recognising her whakapapa, status, and abilities.

What does a line down your chin mean?

Chin tattoos, specifically, were simple patterns of lines running down the chin's length and known as chin stripe or “tamlughun”. These tattoos signify that a young Inuit girl has reached puberty. Furthermore, they also help to protect these women from enemy raids.

Can anyone get a Māori tattoo?

"You can only have it if you have a genealogy that is Maori. "It reflects who we are and it represents your family, your sub-tribes and tribes." Associate Professor Te Kahautu Maxwell at the University of Waikato - who is also tattooed - says the moko has become an important symbol of post-colonialism.

How do you say hello in Māori formal?

"Tena Koe"This is pronounced Te Na Ko E.In Te Reo Maori, all the vowels are pronounced so Koe has two sounds, the co and the e. Say hello to two people.

How do Kiwis say happy birthday?

Māori will often sing 'Hari huritau ki a koe' and 'Rā whānau koa', both to the tune of 'Happy birthday'.