Pōwhiri to welcome new students

A pōwhiri is a Māori ceremony that formally welcomes people into a place. This pōwhiri is a ceremonial way of bringing us all together as one community. 

Our pōwhiri for new students and all staff will be led by mana whenua, the local Māori people who have a relationship with the land we're on. It will be held at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.

This is the first time we’re holding a pōwhiri to welcome new students. Everyone is encouraged to come along to celebrate this significant, historic event. 

After the pōwhiri, kaimahi (staff) and ākonga (students) are invited back to The Hub on campus to finish the process with the sharing of kai (food). 

Your lecturer or school administrator will take you to the stadium for the start of the pōwhiri at 9.30am. You will gather at the entrance of Gate C and will then be called into the ceremony by Executive Director, Megan Pōtiki. The pōwhiri will then be led by Mana Whenua.

Once the formal ceremony has taken place, your lecturer or school administrator will bring you back to campus to the space where the food will be blessed.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Otago Polytechnic.