Glossary
A list of common Māori terms you will hear at Otamatea Marae are given below along with the English translation.
Harirū
To shake hands, hongi or kiss.
Hongi
A traditional Māori greeting where noses are pressed or touched together.
Hau kāinga
The home people or hosts of Otamatea Marae.
Hui
Formal and informal gathering of people for various occasions including meetings, tangihanga, weddings and christenings.
Hura kōhatu (unveiling)
A ceremony held at the graveside where the headstone is unveiled or revealed. Find out about holding unveiling at Otamatea.
Karanga
A call performed by women signalling the start of the pōwhiri.
Kaikaranga
The women who perform the karanga.
Karakia
Prayer or blessing. Karakia is an important part of Māori custom and is delivered on almost all occasions including opening and closing of meetings.
Kaumātua
An elderly man or women- a person of status within the whānau.
Kawa
Protocol of the marae. Determines how things are done in various circumstances. Respect for kawa is very important. If you are unsure of the kawa at Otamatea, please feel free to ask our hau kainga. For example; the kawa when doing whaikōrero at Otamatea is pāeke. Find out about the kawa at Otamatea.
Kawe mate
A memorial service where the memory of the deceased is carried in the form of a photo to the marae of significance during the pōwhiri. Find out about bringing a kawe mate to Otamatea.
Koha
A gift, usually money but not always.
Kuia
Female elders.
Manuhiri
Visitor or guest.
Marae
Place of gathering for Māori people for formal and informal occasions. A marae links present, past and future generations.
Marae ātea
It is the area in front of the wharenui which visitors cross during the pōwhiri.
Pōwhiri
A formal ceremony of welcome.
Tangata whenua
People born of the land.
Tangihanga
A funeral or ceremony of rites for a deceased person. It is the most revered ceremonies for Māori people. During this time people come to pay their respect to the tūpāpaku and their loved ones. Find out about bringing your loved one to Otamatea.
Taumata
The place immediately inside the wharenui where the kaikaranga and speakers sit.
Tūpāpaku
Deceased person. The deceased are accorded high levels of respect during tangihanga.
Whare kai
The dining room and cooking facilities. The whare kai at Otamatea Marae is Te Puna Ora.
Whare karakia
Church building or place of prayers and blessings. The whare karakia at Otamatea Marae is Kakaraea.
Waharoa or Tomokanga
The shelter at the entrance to Otamatea Marae where manuhiri gather before the pōwhiri.
Whare nui
The meeting house where gatherings are held and where manuhiri are accommodated.
Whare paku or whare iti
The ablution or toilet and shower block.
Whānau
In general Māori terms it is a family grouping beyond that of immediate family members – the extended family. For Otamatea Marae whānau refers to all people who have genealogical ties to the Marae.
