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If you visit a mane, you will be greeted formally by the hosts with a welcome ceremony It is important that the mane be entered with reverence and the welcome ceremony protocol be respected. The mane is a sacred place for the local people (tangata whenua) and is a memorial to their ancestors. It should be noted that the protocol on marae does vary from tribe to tribe.

The first voice to be heard in the welcome ceremony is that of a woman, calling to the visitors to come onto the marae. You may hear the words Haere mai’ (welcome) as they call. This call is known as the karanga’. Then it is the men’s turn to speak, retelling histories, and welcoming the guests (manuhiri).

Once the speechmaking is over, visitors are invited to be greeted by their hosts (tangata whenua). The traditional Maori way to greet is by touching noses, the hongi. The host and visitor are united as they share the same breath.

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Hongi, the traditional Maori greeting
During special occasions you may have the opportunity to experience a challenge (wero) as part of the initial welcoming proceedings. A challenge was traditionally only given by the men to people of high rank to determine the visitors intentions - peace or war. The person responding to the challenge is required to pick up the token of peace laid before them.

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Ti Wero, The Challenge, Tamahi Tours, Rotorna
The welcome ceremony is followed by a meal (kai). hospitality is considered very important to Maori, and meals prepared for visitors are often lavish.

Visitors are often deeply touched by the passion and generosity of Maori hospitality. Walking onto a marae, entering a carved meeting house, and sharing a meal with their hosts, they are taken into a culture and a way of life that they have never experienced before.

He tangata takahi manuhiri,
He marae puehu.

When guests are not respected,
The marae is disreputable.