Waiata

Mōteatea are ancient chants that are used to support the kaikōrero (speaker) who is going to speak on behalf of his whānau, hapu or iwi. A mōteatea adds whānau support to what the kaikōrero has said in his whaikōrero (formal speech). Mōteatea are used in formal settings, for example, after a whaikōrero during a pōwhiri or whakatau on a marae or in our schools.

For informal settings or less formal speeches we use waiata ngāhau where the language used in the waiata is less sacred. These type of waiata are normally used to entertain the audience. Waiata ngahau could also be used to welcome and entertain manuhiri (visitors) when entering the wharekai (dinning hall) to feast.

There are many different catergories of haka that were performed for many different reasons. The two type of haka that are commonly used in schools are the Haka Whakatūwaewae/Pōhiri and the haka taparahi. Haka pōhiri are used to welcome visitors wether it be on to a Marae or into our schools. The video below is an example of the Ngāti Awa haka Whakatūwaewae/pōhiri that the iwi use when welcoming important manuhiri. Haka taparahi is a haka that has set hand actions, in our schools this type of haka could be used to acknowledge success, farewell staff or students and to support a whaikōrero or mihi.