WICC 2026
Pōwhiri: our opening ceremony
A pōwhiri is a formal Māori welcome ceremony in Aotearoa — a process through which mana whenua, the hosts of the land, welcome manuwhiri into a shared space of respect and responsibility.
Tēnā koutou katoa, e ngā iwi taketake o te ao. Nau mai, haere mai ki te Manukanuka o Hoturoa, ki Aotearoa.
Te Rau Ora and Hei Āhuru Mōwai, alongside mana whenua, welcomed delegates to W.I.C.C. 2026 with a pōwhiri — a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony that brings people together, acknowledges one another, and establishes connection.
How the morning ran
On Tuesday 21 April, manuhiri assembled at Pou Kapua at 7:00am, where mana whenua shared the kōrero behind the pou — its significance and its connections to the iwi taketake present.
At 7:30am the pōwhiri commenced with karanga, the ceremonial call of welcome, and haka, followed by mihimihi and waiata.
Bringing your own culture into the space
Delegates were encouraged to wear their traditional kākahu or cultural attire, representing their people and their identity. Each Indigenous group was acknowledged individually throughout the pōwhiri — an opportunity to showcase culture while being welcomed.
For those without traditional attire, a respectful dress standard was asked for: long trousers and collared shirts, or formal attire with long dresses or skirts below the knee.
The presence of each people, and the sharing of their own cultural identity, was deeply valued.
