Mihi Whakatau

Welcome to Otago Polytechnic | Te Kura Matatini ki Otago. 

All new students are invited to participate in a mihi whakatau, a greeting ceremony to welcome you onto campus.

Mihi whakatau will be running throughout the day in the Hub on Monday 17 February. You will join your school or programme group, check the schedule at the bottom of this post and keep an eye on your email for further communication.

Shaun Tahau and Jody Takimoana from our Kaitohotohu Māori Sucess Office will be leading the proceedings for the day. You'll also be welcomed by The Deputy Executive Directors of Academic Delivery, Mark Cartwright and Chris Williamson, who will be representing the Colleges. 

Below is a little bit of information about the tikaka, or process, we will follow. Kāi Tahu is our local iwi, so we follow their traditions and tikaka. If you aren't sure what to do at any point, don't worry, there will be plenty of people around to help out.

If you want a bit more detail about mihi whakatau and our tikaka, you can check out this webpage which explains the background behind some of the tikaka, and links to some further resources. 

Where to gather

Your group will gather outside the main entrance of the Hub on Forth Street. Please show up 10 minutes early so that we can start on time. In case of rain, meet inside the hub. If you need help finding where to go, members of Student Success will be around to help.

You will be led into place as a group to find your seats. 

Males sit in the front of the group, based on tradition. 

What to expect

1. You will be welcomed with speeches from your hosts. This is be followed by a waiata (song) sung by the host group as a way of acknowledging the words of the speakers.
2. Then a student representative from your group will introduce themselves and your group in reply.
3. Next your group will stand and sing your own waiata, which represents supporting the words of your representative. The waiata will be chosen by your school, who will let you know the song in advance and will provide you with printouts of the lyrics on the day. 
4. After that, there will be an acknowledgement. There will be no hongi, which is usually part of a mihi whakatau. 
5. Finally, the mihi whakatau concludes with sharing kai.

Kai

A mihi whakatau ends with the sharing of kai (food). Sharing food is an important way to close the ceremony, so please join us in the Hub immediately following your mihi for something to eat. This is also a good chance to say hello to some kaimahi (staff) and your fellow ākonga (students). 

As there is a tight schedule with many students to welcome, we ask that after the kai you please leave the Hub to make room for the next group. 

Schedule