Mihimihi

Mihimihi are introductory speeches which take place at the beginning of a gathering after the more formal pōwhiri. Mihimihi are generally in te reo Māori and can be given by both females and males.

Mihimihi establish links with other people present. Mihimihi involve individuals standing to introduce themselves by sharing their whakapapa (genealogy, ancestral ties) and other relevant information. It is important for Māori to know and to share their whakapapa - to know one’s whakapapa is to know one’s identity.

Mihimihi can vary in length depending on the reason for the gathering.

A person will usually identify specific geographical features associated with their tribal area including their maunga (mountain), awa (river) and moana (sea). They may also identify their waka (ancestral canoe), hapū (sub tribe), iwi (tribe), marae and an eponymous ancestor. This information is considered more important than the individual’s own name which may be the last piece of information given in mihimihi.

Consonants

There are 10 consonant sounds in Te Reo Māori.

h, harakeke (flax)

k, karu (eye)

m, mā (white)

n, namu (sandfly)

p, parāoa (bread)

r, rangi (sky, day)

t, tama (boy)

w, waka (canoe, means of transport)

Consonents – Digraphs

There are 2 digraph (two letters that combine to form one sound) in Te Reo Māori.

ng, ngahuru (autumn)

wh, whānau (family)