09 June 2008

Powhiri 2008

By Moira Blake

The Turakina Maori Girls College group performed a Haka Powhiri

Powhiri Ceremony

The Powhiri for new students and staff took place on May 1st in the IPC Recreation centre.

The ceremony followed the traditional format. Elders and members of the Rangitane community of the Manawatu region, including students from Turakina Maori Girls College, joined existing IPC staff and students to form the Tangata Whenua. The ceremony began with Ms Kiwa Whareaitu giving the Karanga on behalf of the Tangata Whenua, who were seated in the Recreation Centre. Mrs Kararaina Tait responded with her call on behalf of the Manuhiri - new students and staff, guided by elders from the Rangitane community. The Manuhiri then moved slowly in while the Turakina Maori Girls College group performed a stirring Haka Powhiri, a chant of welcome.

Next, the Reverend Bob Hina said a Karakia and then the speakers for each group took their turn to express thoughts appropriate to the occasion, with waiata following each speech. In his welcome to the 2008 group, IPC President Ken Cunningham emphasised how IPC is enriched by the constant flow of new people, both staff and students. On behalf of new staff, Peter Butler shared his feeling of deep humility when he recently accompanied a Vietnamese graduate who was returning home for the first time in four years. This experience strengthened his realisation of the enormous sacrifice some families make to send their children to IPC and increased his awareness of the huge responsibility staff have towards students.

Powhiri Ceremony

Powhiri Ceremony

In his welcome to the new students, Apinun Visetjinda, from Thailand, spoke of calling IPC his second home and seeing both students and staff as members of his family. He stressed the value of the leadership skills and confidence he had gained during his three years at IPC and concluded with a favourite saying: "Experience is one thing you can't get for nothing". On behalf of new students, Jonathan Te Rauna spoke in Maori, concluding with a Maori proverb encouraging students to appreciate the benefits of learning:
"The bird who eats of the Miro berry, his is the forest
The bird who eats of the Knowledge berry, the world is his/her Oyster".

After the speeches, Reverend Bob Hina said the concluding prayer, and then invited the Manuhiri to take part in the Hongi. Finally Manuhiri and Tangata Whenua moved to the dining room to have lunch together.

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