One of the important aspects of events held in New Zealand is the acknowledgement and involvement of the Māori. During my visits to NZ for the Meetings expos I have observed how BEIA involve the local Māori in their events.

To find out more I sat down with Kiriana Koni, Māori Development Manager at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, who explained the background to the welcome ceremony.

“The haka pōwhiri is an important cultural practice that welcomes visitors onto our whenua – our land and into our community.   

As a traditional Māori welcome ceremony the haka pōwhiri is a powerful, respectful ritual that marks the beginning of a visit, gathering, or event. The haka itself is a cultural expression that conveys mana, history, and identity, and it plays a vital role in welcoming and acknowledging visitors.   It’s about showing respect, unity, and honouring the spirits of our ancestors. Participating in or observing a haka pōwhiri is a way of building relationships and understanding between Māori and visitors. 

Central to our tikanga / protocols and the spirit of the pōwhiri are two core values:

Manaakitanga: This is the Māori value of hospitality and generosity for others. It’s about making visitors feel welcome, safe, and respected.

Kaitiakitanga: This is the Māori principle of guardianship and environmental stewardship. It reminds us to care for our whenua, our taonga (treasures), and all living things. During the pōwhiri, we honour our environment and respect the land’s spiritual significance. 

These values underpin the pōwhiri process and guide how we welcome and interact with guests.

The key components of the Haka Powhiri experience are:

Wero: A challenge or test, often performed by a warrior, to establish trust and respect.

Karanga: The call of welcome led by women, connecting the spiritual realm with the physical.

Haka pōwhiri: The group haka performed by the host to welcome and acknowledge visitors.

Mihi: A speech or greeting that shares the purpose of the gathering. 

Waiata: Songs sung during the process, often to honour ancestors and acknowledge messaging from the mihi. 

Hongi: This is the traditional greeting of pressing of the nose between guests and hosts which symbolizes sharing the breath of life between people coming together in unity.”

I also observed that most local speakers at various presentations at Meetings 2025 were able to do an introduction and acknowledgement in Māori language – I asked Kiriana to explain this introduction via this video.

Kirian starts by introducing herself in Māori and then explains what she just said.