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I was dumbfounded, but had also promised myself
to experience the moment. Koro Hemi began a hearty
laugh, just as quickly as his wail started. I liked him as
we both had a good laugh.
As we continued toward the Marae building, Aroha
explained, “We are about to participate in a powhiri, a
sacred welcome ceremony and Koro Hemi is here to
walk alongside and speak for us.”

I was about to say, I could speak quite well for
myself until Aroha said, “We wait here for a special
chant to let us know we can now enter the sacred space
for this meeting. The chant is led by the women and
called the “karanga.”
“The karanga initiates the ceremony with oratory
that weaves together all of our ancestral connections so
that we are no longer strangers, we are whanau, we are
family,” said Aroha.

“When the women complete the chanting of their
oratory, the men then stand to deliver whaikorero
which is the male form of ceremonial oratory to
continue weaving our connections.
That is why Koro Hemi is here. He and Nana Grace
will weave our connections.”

Nana Grace slightly nodded at Aroha. “It is time to
stop talking and pay attention.”

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