Mihi 1 Introduction to mihi

An introduction to mihi that will teach you the concept of mihi and its significance in te ao Māori.

Introduction

A mihi is a formal structure to acknowledge, a formal welcome speech, an expression of gratitude or an introduction to a kaupapa or a person.

Warm Up

What do you know about mihi? How would you explain mihi to someone new to Aotearoa?

Otago University - Mihi - Introductions
Language

Below is all the language you need for a mihi. Don't freak out! We will use some of these phrases today. By the end of this course (if you do your homework!), you will know the whole lot!

Follow the instructions of your kaiako. You will practice and learn:

  1. tauparapara;
  2. tō wāhi noho; 
  3. tō mahi; 
  4. tō ingoa; e
  5. whakakapi.
A mihi is made up of:
Whakatūwhera/Tauparapara Opening greeting
  • Tēnā koutou katoa.
  • Tēnā koutou e aku rangatira
  • Kia ora e te whānau
  • Whakataukī, whakatauākī
Ngā mate Acknowledging the deceased
  • Ki ngā mate, haere, haere, haere atu rā
  • Ki ngā tini aitua, moe mai, moe mai, moe mai rā
Tangata whenua Acknowledging the local tribe
  • Ka mihi ki te iwi kāinga, ki a _________
  • E mihi ana ki te iwi e tau nei, ______________, tēnā koutou
Te rōpū/whānau Acknowledging those present
  • Ki a tātou e tau nei, tēnā koutou
  • Ki a tātou e tau nei, ka nui aku mihi.
Pepehā Tribal aphorism
  • Ko ________ te maunga
  • Ko ________ te awa
  • Ko ________ te waka
  • Ko ________ te marae
  • Ko ________ te hapū
  • Ko ________ te iwi

OR

  • Nō _______ ōku tīpuna
  • Ko _______ te waka i haere mai ai rātou
Whakapapa Genealogy
  • Ko ________ toku māmā
  • Ko ________ tōku pāpā
  • Ko ________  rāua ko ______ ōku kuia
  • Ko ________ rāua ko _______ ōku koroua
Tō wāhi noho Where you live
  • Kei ________ ahau e noho ana
Tō mahi Your job
  • Kei _______ ahau e mahi ana
Tō ingoa My name is
  • Ko _________ tōku ingoa
  • Ko __________ ahau 
Whakakapi Conclusion Tēnā koutou katoa

 

 

Practice

Using the table above, make a very simple mihi for yourself. Make sure you:

  • catch everyone's attention with tauparapara and let them know you are speaking;
  • tell everyone present where you live; &
  • where you work; and 
  • your name.

Practice with your kaiako.

Mahi kāinga 

  1. Watch this short documentary on tikanga/Māori cultural practices: https://tereomaori.tki.org.nz/Professional-learning/National-Reo-Maori-Workshops-Video-archives/Part-1-He-Mihi/The-Importance-of-Mihi
  2. Memorise and practice your mihi.
  3. Practice the pronunciation of all the phrases from the language section above.