Hello everybody soz not been on for a while I've been pretty lazy but as I'm leaving New Zealand in 2 days i thought i better take in some Maori culture so be and Bri headed to one of the shows that are put one in Rotorua.

The Maori people are the indigenous people of New Zealand. They are Polynesian and comprise about 10% of the country's population. Maoritanga is the native language which is related to Tahitian and Hawaiian. It is believed that the Maori migrated from Polynesia in canoes about the 9th century to 13th century AD.

The evening started with the traditional Maori dish called a Hangi is a feast cooked in the earth. Stones are heated in a fire in a dug out pit and covered in cabbage leaves or watercress to stop the food from burning. Mutton, pork, chicken, potatoes and Kumera (a sweet potato) are then unusually lowered into the pit in a basket. The food is covered with Mutton cloth or similar and traditionally with flax. Finally earth is placed on top to keep in the steam. The food takes about 3 hours to cook. The Hangi is still popular and is a viable alternative to a weekend barbecue. The unique taste of food cooked in a Hangi can best be described as steamed food with an earthen flavour.

After a few servings we headed to the desert table and had another traditional New Zealand desert Pavlova.

Before the show started i was asked by one of the Maori ladies if i would act as the chief and except the Maori peace offering, so i agreed to act as chief for the whole room i had to stand next to one of the maori ladies and wait for the powhiri to start (formal welcome) a marae begins with wero (challenge) A warrior from the tangata whenua (hosts) will challenge the manuhiri (guests).

He may carry a spear (taiaha) then lay down a token (often a small branch) that the manuhiri will pick up to show they come in peace. Some kuia (women) from the tangata whenua (hosts) will perform a karanga (call/chant) to the manuhiri. Women from the manuhiri will then respond as they move onto the marae in front of their men. I then had to do the hongi which means touching of noses i had to touch noses with all the Marae Ladies. I then sat down and the songs and story telling began, the show consisted of telling of how new Zealand was born and what the maori beliefs are. We were also shown the Haka the origins of the haka are deeply rooted in the mists of time. It is a history rich in folklore and legend that reflects Maori heritage. New Zealand has grown up immersed in haka since first encounters between Maori and early European explorers, missionaries and settlers.While recent tradition suggests the haka was the domain of men exclusively, legends and history reflects a different story. Indeed, the story of the most famous haka, Ka mate!, proves to be about the power of female sexuality.According to legend, the haka was derived from the sun of god Ra. He had two wives: Hine-raumati, who was the essence of summer, and Hine-takurua, the essence of winter.Ra and Hine-raumati lay together and gave birth to a son called Tanerore. On hot summer days it is possible to see the light dancing. Legend has it that this is Hine-raumati's son, Tanerore, performing for his mother and the wiriwiri or trembling shimmer is today reflected in the trembling of the haka performer's hands.Maori myths and legends are peppered with stories about the haka.Once the Haka was performed the guest was asked to come up onto the stage and participate in the Haka one of the warriors stood in front of us and showed us the moves we all had a really good laugh.the show was really good it gave a nice insight into the Maori beliefs etc well worth watching.