Are you a newcomer to the Bay of Plenty?

Multicultural Tauranga, in collaboration with Ngāi Te Rangi, is set to host the third annual pōwhiri for migrants on Saturday, November 9 at the Wikitoria Street Marae in Maungatapu.

This special event aims to provide a formal welcome for newcomers to the region through a traditional Māori ceremony involving speeches, cultural performance, singing, and finally the hongi.

“This pōwhiri is more than just a ceremony; it symbolizes our commitment to fostering social cohesion between Multicultural Tauranga and Ngāi Te Rangi,” said Premila D’Mello, President of Multicultural Tauranga.

“We want migrants to feel a sense of belonging in Aotearoa, and being welcomed by the indigenous people is a significant step towards that goal.”

New migrants being welcomed to Tauranga in 2021. Photo/Katie Cox.

A pōwhiri encapsulates the formal welcome ceremony onto the marae, starting with the initial karanga (call) from the tangata whenua (people of the land, the hosts) right up to the sharing of kai (food).

The ceremony will be followed by a shared lunch and a variety of multicultural performances, offering attendees an enriching experience. Participants are encouraged to wear their own cultural dress.

This year’s event features the chance for manuhiri (guests) to enter the wharenui (meeting house), learn about the history of Ngāi Te Rangi, and participate in traditional Māori activities, including a hāngī (earth oven-cooked meal).

“It will follow the same format as in the past two events,” D’Mello said.

“This year’s event will be extra special as we are working with Ngāi Te Rangi to give the visitors/manuhiri an opportunity to learn about the history of the marae.”

New migrants being welcomed to Tauranga in 2021. Photo/Katie Cox.

She said the Maori cultural activities include poi making, and flax weaving and tukutuku panel making demonstrations.

Multicultural communities will be supporting the event with performances and bringing traditional food for a shared lunch.

“The welcoming ceremony or pōwhiri by Ngāi Te Rangi has been compared to breaking the pot and planting our roots in the soil of Aotearoa,” D’Mello said.

The event has received generous support from the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund which has granted $10,000 for this year’s pōwhiri.

The fund, a collaboration among local organizations such as the Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT, Tauranga City Council, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, aims to promote community-led events that encourage affordable participation. This funding has been crucial for the event’s growth and success.

New migrants being welcomed to Tauranga in 2021. Photo/Katie Cox.

Alastair Rhodes, Chief Executive of BayTrust, expressed pride in supporting such a significant occasion.

“This pōwhiri strengthens community ties and promotes cultural understanding,” Rhodes said.

“It enriches the lives of new migrants by connecting them with the traditions of mana whenua and highlights the beauty of cross-cultural exchange.”

The pōwhiri tradition began in 2021 when Paora Stanley, CEO of Ngāi Te Rangi, challenged the community to enhance engagement between migrants and Māori.

Multicultural Tauranga responded by organizing the inaugural migrant pōhiri on July 10, 2021.

Since then, the event has flourished, welcoming diverse communities, including those from the Pacific Islands, Nepal, Germany, the United States, Vietnam, India, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Latin America, and the Czech Republic during last year’s gathering.

New migrants being welcomed to Tauranga in 2021. Photo/Katie Cox.

Premila D’Mello emphasized that the pōwhiri promotes social cohesion by fostering understanding of mana whenua as the indigenous people of New Zealand.

“It creates lasting connections between migrants and Māori, enriching both communities with cultural knowledge and mutual respect,” she said.

Previous events have attracted between 400 and 600 attendees, leaving a lasting impact and creating cherished memories for generations.

The pōwhiri helps ethnic communities connect with local traditions while allowing Ngāi Te Rangi to learn about the diverse cultures that now call New Zealand home.

New families in the Western Bay of Plenty are encouraged to join this year’s festivities.

“We invite every migrant family to take this opportunity to be welcomed by Ngāi Te Rangi through the pōhiri process and enjoy the hospitality of both the iwi and the multicultural communities,” said D’Mello.

This year’s pōwhiri also marks the beginning of expanded iwi involvement, with plans to include Ngatī Ranginui and Ngāti Pūkenga in future ceremonies.

The event has garnered support from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and the Ministry of Ethnic Communities, reflecting a strong commitment to this kaupapa.

Event Details:

Annual Migrant Pōwhiri Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024

Time: 9.30am – 3pm

Location: Maungatapu Marae, 25 Wikitoria Street, Maungatapu

Admission: Free. All migrant families and individuals in the region are welcome. Please bring a plate of food for the shared lunch.