Tikanga at iPRES 2025
- ipres20254
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
iPRES 2025 is taking place on the land of Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, who were living in the Wellington Harbour area at the time of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. Taranaki Whānui descend from one or more of the recognised tūpuna (ancestors) of Te Ati Awa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga and other iwi (tribes) from the Taranaki area.
As memory institutions we acknowledge the importance of Taranaki Whānui as Mana Whenua - those who currently hold, protect and keep alive the memories of this rohe (area). We commit to doing this by ensuring that tikanga (customs) and kawa (protocols) of Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view) are upheld and embedded throughout the event. Te Ao Māori emphasises the importance of relationships between nature (te taiao), the land (whenua), waterways (wai) and people (tangata). It is a holistic worldview that focuses on interconnections. A key element of Te Ao Māori is the importance of whakapapa, the genealogical links that weave individuals into their ancestral lineages and people to te taiao. Community (hapori) is at the heart of Te Ao Māori. Values like manaakitanga (hospitality, generosity, respect) and whanaungatanga (kinship, connection) emphasise the importance of nurturing relationships and supporting one another. Care for the natural environment is another key element of Te Ao Māori.
As part of holding iPRES 2025 in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Local Organising Committee is embedding Mātauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge) and tikanga (customary practices) throughout the conference experience. Māori tikanga may be different from the cultural practices iPRES attendees are accustomed to. We look forward to sharing this unique experience with you as hosts. As guests, we ask you to come with an open heart and respect for Aotearoa’s indigenous culture.
Welcome and farewell
Welcomes are incorporated throughout tikanga practice. There are degrees of formality from Pōwhiri, formal welcomes, to Mihi Whakatau which serve to settle people in to proceedings.
Farewells also range in formality depending upon the setting and will generally include an acknowledgement of what has happened over the period since the welcome and a blessing for those leaving to travel home.
Mihi
These are greetings/introductions that you may hear from session chairs and New Zealanders presenting. They usually include the person’s name, job and place of work and acknowledge those in attendance.
Karakia
These are non-faith-based blessings or invocations you will hear used at the beginning and ending of a gathering.
The Local Organising Committee has been using two in particular, and these are the ones you will hear throughout iPRES.
Opening karakia - Whakataka te Hau
Through referencing the natural environment this karakia seeks to settle us in to the gathering ahead, helping us to focus on what is in front of us.
Closing karakia - Unuhia
This karakia gathers the energy of our gathering and clears the way for us to transition into our next activity.
Waiata
Waiata tautoko are songs of support and are given after a speech. They can be used at any time but generally the words of the song should reinforce or compliment the words of the speaker. Throughout iPRES you will hear waiata used at formal welcomes and to acknowledge each of our Keynote speakers.
Lyrics for the waiata tautoko are available in the conference app.