A mihi is a formal way of respecting people by acknowledging their mana and tapu (dignity and sacredness). It is a sign of hospitality and respect to mihi on important occasions.
You could use the mihi below in class but you would add your name, mountain, river (or lake or harbour), birthplace and occupation. This would go just after the ‘welcome to the living’ and before the concluding line. Mihi Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa Hello everybody here Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa warm greetings to everyone Ki te atua-tēnā koe to God – greetings Ki a papatuanuku – tēnā koe to mother earth – greetings Ki te kura/whare – tēnā koe to the school/house – greetings Ki te hunga mate farewell the dead Ki te hunga ora welcome the living Tēnā koutou katoa greetings to all
Mihi
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa Hello everybody here
Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa warm greetings to everyone
Ki te atua-tēnā koe to God – greetings
Ki a papatuanuku – tēnā koe to mother earth – greetings
Ki te kura/whare – tēnā koe to the school/house – greetings
Ki te hunga mate farewell the dead
Ki te hunga ora welcome the living
Tēnā koutou katoa greetings to all