MĀORI TRADITIONS: HONGI AND HĀNGI

Hongi is the traditional Māori greeting in which two people gently bring their foreheads together and touch noses, in a calm and solemn gesture. The act symbolises the exchange of ha—the breath of life—an essential concept in Māori culture, closely linked to existence, spirit, and continuity. Through the hongi, a guest ceases to be a manuhiri (stranger) and becomes, if only for a moment, part of the community (tangata whenua). The gesture conveys respect, equality, and peaceful intentions, and is regarded as far more than a simple greeting: it is a ritual that binds people to one another and to their ancestors.

The Greeting of Life

The hongi has its roots in Māori mythology. The god Tāne Mahuta created Hineahuone, the first woman, by breathing ha into her nostrils. Since then, the touching of noses and foreheads has symbolised the sharing of life and the connection between human beings. In many Māori legends, the exchange of breath also represents the transmission of spiritual power or ancestral protection. It is said, for example, that performing a hongi with a tribal chief or a tohunga (ritual priest) may bring good fortune and blessing to the recipient.

In practice, the hongi is used primarily in ceremonial contexts, especially during a pōwhiri, the formal welcoming ceremony held on a marae—the communal courtyard. A pōwhiri includes speeches, songs, dances (including the haka), and the exchange of hongi, through which visitors are symbolically integrated into the community. The hongi may also be performed at formal meetings or important cultural events, such as the opening of a school or museum, or the reception of distinguished guests. In such settings, the gesture not only greets but also affirms equality and mutual respect.

Pōwhiri is a formal Māori welcoming ceremony involving speeches, cultural performances, songs, and, at its conclusion, the hongi. The term pōwhiri may also refer specifically to a chant of welcome that is sometimes performed as part of the broader ceremony.

To perform a hongi correctly, the foreheads and noses are brought together gently, without haste or rubbing—just a light, respectful touch. Eye contact or a brief moment of silence is customary, underscoring the solemnity of the act. Accepting a hongi is a sign of respect for Māori culture and of a willingness to establish a relationship based on trust and openness.

Former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, for instance, exchanged a hongi with kuia Hiria Hape during a pōwhiri at her investiture ceremony—an emblematic moment of continuity between tradition and modern state ceremony.

Traditional Māori legends and stories add further depth to this gesture. Among the Ngāi Tahu, for example, the first hongi with the community leader is believed to protect visitors for the duration of their stay. Other stories speak of brothers estranged for years being reconciled through the hongi, symbolising the ritual’s power to heal tensions and restore human bonds.

In Northland, elders say that the first hongi with the spiritual leader of the community establishes a “covenant of peace” that lasts a lifetime. Some lesser-known legends even speak of hongi exchanged between humans and protective spirits, a gesture symbolising respect for nature and for the ancestors.

Thus, the hongi is not merely a physical greeting, but a complex ritual that binds individuals to one another and to their community, transmitting respect, protection, and harmony, while keeping alive a spiritual connection with the ancestors. Understanding and embracing this tradition offers visitors and younger generations alike an authentic cultural experience and a powerful lesson in the value of community, respect, and profound human connection.

The Cuisine of the Earth

Hāngī is an ancient Māori culinary tradition that involves cooking food in an earth oven using heated stones. This method gives the dishes a distinctive smoky, earthy flavour and is at the same time a social and cultural ritual, not merely a way of preparing food. Hāngī reflects the importance of community and cooperation in Māori culture, as well as the deep bond between people and nature.

The process begins with digging a trench or pit in the ground, into which large stones—heated for a long time in a fire—are placed. Meat, fish, kūmara (sweet potatoes), and vegetables are arranged in baskets or wrapped in leaves, then covered with earth to retain the heat.

The food cooks slowly over several hours. The heat from the stones bakes the ingredients evenly, preserving their natural flavours and imparting a distinctive aroma characteristic of traditional earth cooking.

Hāngī is often prepared for family gatherings, festivals, or significant community events held on the marae or during cultural celebrations. By taking part in the preparation and sharing of a hāngī, people do more than eat together: they strengthen social bonds, pass on traditions, and share a collective experience. In this way, hāngī becomes a ritual that unites generations and keeps cultural values alive.

Practical examples can be seen at cultural festivals across New Zealand, where visitors may observe the preparation of a hāngī and even taste traditional foods such as chicken, lamb, fish, kūmara, and a variety of vegetables, all infused with the unmistakable flavour of earth cooking. Hāngī thus becomes not only a culinary experience, but also a lesson in community, patience, and respect for tradition.

A Bond Between People, Nature, and Ancestors

Both hongi and hāngī are more than rituals; they are profound expressions of Māori values: respect for community, for nature, and for ancestors. Through the hongi, people share the breath of life and build relationships founded on trust and harmony. Through hāngī, food becomes a social and spiritual bond, and the act of cooking together strengthens communal ties and perpetuates tradition.

By learning about and respecting these traditions, each participant connects not only with those around them, but also with the past and with the spirit of the land that sustains the community. In this way, hongi and hāngī remain living symbols of continuity, solidarity, and respect within Māori culture—enduring lessons of value for every generati