It was quite funny in that as I watched her anticipation, it reminded me of when I was teaching in high school and all of the organising that we did to ensure that the Year 9 were ready for their first day into high school.
The powhiri ceremony went really well starting with the assembling of new staff and students outside the hall, then being called into the hall by staff, board members and Year 13 senior school. They were then ushered onto the right side of the hall and the speeches began with the Principle and a waiata (song sung of support for his speech) then this was followed by a reply of thanks for the manuhiri (visitors) in fact a pakeha who spoke in te reo (the Maori language) which was neat and appropriate and a Maori short waiata sung by the new students and parents etc. A hongi (pressing of noses) or hand shakes/hugs completed the formal proceedings and announcements were made for the next phase.
Afterwards, the new students were ushered into their new house teams: 5 of them with their house colours and flags and biscuits were given out to the new students which is the final process of the powhiri which is to whakanoa (neutralise) the tapu nature of this esoterical ancient ritual.
Where upon parents were dismissed and able to go about their usual day knowing that they children were in good hands with timetables to be given out and introductions to teachers and other class mates on their first day and their lives will never be the same...
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