how to hongi

The hongi 

What is a hongi? 

 A hongi is the pressing of noses, which symbolises the exchange of the breath of life 

When does the hongi happen? When the tangata whenua side indicates that the speeches are complete, the manuhiri speakers approach the tangata whenua to hongi 

What to do 

• First take your right hand and shake the other person’s hand firmly and give a little squeeze make eye contact and say kia ora. 
• Next take your left hand and gently rest your hand on the other person’s shoulder and lean your head forward a little bit and touch noses gently for 1 second 
• Finally take your head away and release hands gently and that’s what you call a Hongi. 

 The hongi is a greeting that shows respect to the tangata whenua, therefore it is important you do it correctly

Rangi and Papa

We described a character from the story Rangi and Papa.

Rangi - the Sky Father

Rangi the sky father sat in the heavens torn apart from his beloved Papa the earth mother. Tane mahuta, the forest god had pushed and heaved apart his parents causing the dazzling sunlight to flood the earth. Rangi wept tears of rain down on the earth as he stared longingly at his precious Papa. Seeing his father so forlorn Tane decided to light up the sky. Tane mahuta spread a ruby cloak across Rangi’s side and took the saffron sun  and placed it at his back. Tane mahuta put the shining silver pearl moon at Rangi’s front. Tane mahuta gazed upwards and thought how sorrowful his father appeared at night. Tane placed his brothers children, the radant dazzling stars all over his father. Rangi and Papa still remain separated to this day lost loves, never to reunite.