GREETINGS OMEP MEMBERS FROM ACROSS THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION,
OMEP Aotearoa/New Zealand invite you to register for the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference to be held at Manukau Institue of Technology (MIT) in South Auckland 27-29th November 2015. Please see the attached flyer.
The conference title is “Connecting the Pacific with Asia – weaving links across the ocean”. This highlights our shared geographic place in the world and diverse cultural, historical, political and economic contexts and the impact on education and care of young children.
The conference will be set within the heart of Maori (indigenous people) culture at the Marae in Manukau Institute of Technology and a formal welcome (Powhiri) will be held to welcome all our visitors. This is a very special event which we are thrilled to be able to share with you.
We are also very excited about being able to offer you accommodation on the Marae during the conference. This is a unique and very special opportunity which few visitors from overseas get a chance to experience. We are so appreciative of MIT for providing this opportunity.
I have included some information on Te Marae so you can see how lucky we are to be able to share this with you.
TE MARAE – MAORI MEETING PLACE
A marae is a fenced-in complex of carved buildings and grounds which belongs to a particular iwi (tribe), hapū (sub tribe) or whānau (family). Māori people see their marae as tūrangawaewae – their place to stand and belong. Marae are used for meetings, celebrations, funerals, educational workshops and other important tribal events.
A marae incorporates a carved meeting house (wharenui) with an open space in front (marae ātea), a dining hall and cooking area (wharekai), and a toilet and shower block (wharetapu).
TE WHARENUI
The most important of the buildings within the marae is the wharenui or carved meeting house. A wharenui resembles the human body in structure, and usually represents a particular ancestor of the tribe.
The tekoteko (carved figure) on the roof top in front of the house represents the head, and the maihi (front barge boards) are the arms held out in welcome to visitors. The amo are short boards at the front of the wharenui representing legs, while the tahuhu (ridge pole), a large beam running down the length of the roof, represents the spine. The heke (rafters), reaching from the tahuhu to the poupou (carved figures) around the walls, represent the ribs.
Many wharenui contain intricate carvings and panels that refer to the whakapapa (genealogy) of the tribe, and to Māori stories and legends. It is also common to see photos of loved ones who have passed away placed inside.
If you are lucky enough to step inside a wharenui, remember to remove your shoes before entering, do not consume food or drink inside, and always seek permission before taking photos.
COMMUNAL LIVING
The people who belong to a marae do not live there full time, but will come and stay during important occasions. Marae life is very communal – everyone sleeps in the same room (usually the main meeting house) on mattresses lined against the walls. They eat together in the dining room, help with chores, and spend time together learning, discussing and debating tribal matters.
VISITORS
A visitor who has never set foot on a marae is known as waewae tapu or sacred feet. They must partake in a formal welcoming ceremony, called a pōwhiri, to remove the tapu (sacredness) and become one people with those of the marae.
This will be part of our formal welcome to everyone at the start of the conference.
Leave a Reply