Kia Ora!

Kia Ora is a Maori language greeting that can mean many things - Thank you! Be Well! Cheers! G'Day! Hello!
Rotorua was settled by descendents of Polynesian voyagers from the legendary Maori homeland of Hawaiki. Today, the Maori people comprise about 40% of Rotorua's population, and they represent the largest concentration of Maori residents in New Zealand.

We recently spent an afternoon at Ohinemutu - an historic village that was once the main settlement of Maoris on Lake Rotorua. A charming and proud Maori named Sonny gave us a personal tour of the Marae, and he shared stories with us we're not likely to find in guidebooks. There are Maraes (plazas) all over the area - each one is traditionally named after a revered male ancestor. The wharenui is the meeting house, and its design is loaded with symbolism. For instance, the design frontage barge boards are the ancestor's welcoming arms.

Maori carvings like this pictured warrior are common sights. Our guide told us the markings on the warrior's head are very meaningful. His forehead markings represent heritage while those on the nose relate to his spirituality. Markings on his cheeks and chin represent what he does - his work.

At the other end of the Marae is the Tudor-style Maori St. Faith's Church which was built in 1910. The Anglican church is beautiful! We were especially intrigued with one of its large windows with an etching of a Maori Christ who looks as though he is walking on the waters of Lake Rotorua.

At last - Sonny gave us each our first formal Maori greeting - the hongi (pressing of noses)!