Pohiri . . . Traditional Maori Welcome

Today was the start of the schools  annual visit to a Marae.   A marae is a  complex of carved buildings and grounds that belongs to a particular tribe.  We do this to deepen our knowledge  of Ngati Whakaue identity, language and culture.  Ngati Whakaue are the Maori tribe  that lives in the Rotorua district and descends from the Arawa canoe.  About 40% percent of our pupils are Maori.  It is only the staff that are doing this.  School starts next week.  It was very hot in the meeting house where the official welcome took place.  When we all came outside to wait for dinner most people left their shoes off.  It is expected that we wear black clothing for the formal welcome.  Some people had quickly got out of their more formal clothes. 
(For the N.Z blippers I did spell pohiri correctly for our area.  Mostly it's spelt powhiri which is how it is pronounced.)