Motuti Marae

I've been out of town hosting international journalists and photographers visiting New Zealand to celebrate World Environment Day and Matariki - Maori New Year. We took 14 of them to Northland for the weekend, and spent a wonderful afternoon at Motuti Marae on the northern shores of the Hokianga Harbour across from Opononi. We were warmly welcomed onto their living marae with a traditional powhiri in their fully carved meeting house. We greeted each other with hongi (touching noses), mihi (greetings) and waita (songs). After sharing afternoon tea together they performed kapa haka for us and gave us demonstrations with poi and flax weaving.

We had the unusual privilege of being there for the burial of one of their baby's whenua (afterbirth)! A tree was planted over it as the baby was prayed for.