This is our formal greeting to all people.
Known as a Mihi, it was given to us by a Kaumatua and we, therefore, treat it with great respect.
For those of you coming to this site from outside New Zealand, there are three official languages in our country - Maori, English and sign language.
Maori is the language of the original inhabitants of this country and English the most commonly used.
Te Atiawa is the group of Maori who traditionally live in the Hutt Valley and a Kaumatua might be termed an elder in other cultures. |