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Thread ID: 117588 2011-04-25 21:29:00 Powhiri baabits (15242) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1197148 2011-04-25 21:29:00 I have been asked to represent new staff at a Powhiri.

I was wondering if anyone could help me with some of the appropriate phrases in Maori?

Thanks for your help.
baabits (15242)
1197149 2011-04-25 21:56:00 Why do we have to have a pot pourri for everything? wotz (335)
1197150 2011-04-26 00:00:00 I have been asked to represent new staff at a Powhiri .

I was wondering if anyone could help me with some of the appropriate phrases in Maori?

Thanks for your help .

Don't worry about it . . . speak in our second language - English

Ken
kenj (9738)
1197151 2011-04-26 00:01:00 Don't worry about it ... speak in our second language - English

Ken

This.

Honestly, you won't get scalped. Much.
rob_on_guitar (4196)
1197152 2011-04-26 00:47:00 I attended a half-day Board of Trustees seminar a few years ago . The bulk of the attendees were non-maori .

Being a self-employed person with no other income and a virtually unpaid volunteer as a BOT representative, I was disgusted with the 20+ minutes wasted at the beginning of the seminar on a prayer/song in maori .

Absolutely unprofessional in this day and age - prayers have no relevance in a professional setting in a secular society . And the welcome could have been covered in a single sentence rather than a song that no-one understood .

I complained to the organisers at the morning break, and got a shrug in response . :annoyed:
johcar (6283)
1197153 2011-04-26 01:09:00 I would have to agree, when you get addressed as an english speaking audience for 10mins on a language that 2 people in the group understand you have to wounder. I don't mind a few words and that but to carry on and have to translate at the end leaves everyone bored and it wastes time.

Leave the long maori speaking bits for when you are sure there is a decent chunk of people who can only speak maori
The Error Guy (14052)
1197154 2011-04-26 01:25:00 Assuming you have to give a short speech of welcome, I would (of necessity) limit myself to,


"Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa."

and then continue your welcome in English. That you have acknowledged Te Reo you will have demonstrated the appropriateness of using it, and honoured the assembly by taking the time and trouble to do so.

The phrase simply means, "greetings to you, greetings to you, greetings to you all and myself".

If you want to know more, go HERE (www.nzhistory.net.nz), which has a useful pronunciation guide for newbies.

Good luck. :thumbs:
WalOne (4202)
1197155 2011-04-26 01:29:00 "Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa."

The phrase simply means, "greetings to you, greetings to you, greetings to you all and myself".


In which case cut it down to :

tena tatou katoa.


Why repeat yourself?
pctek (84)
1197156 2011-04-26 01:37:00 In which case cut it down to :

tena tatou katoa.


Why repeat yourself?

It's a formal protocol making sure no-one (including you yourself) is overlooked.
WalOne (4202)
1197157 2011-04-26 06:42:00 When I was teaching, we had to undergo a powhiri at the school we were visiting for a sports exchange. The senior teacher replied in Welsh, since he did not know maori. It was priceless. user (1404)
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