Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

First powhiri for iwi leaders at Te Tii Marae

Updated at 8:33 pm on 3 February 2012

Members of the Iwi Chairs Forum are being invited to a powhiri on Te Tii Marae at Waitangi on Saturday.

A marae kaumatua Kingi Taurua says it's the first time they've held an official welcome ceremony for the tribal leadership group.

The Iwi Chairs Forum will hold its first meeting for this year in the Bay of Islands on Saturday, and Ngapuhi has formally invited delegates to the marae.

A member of the forum Margaret Mutu says the visit will be very satisfying.

She says they are not usually able to make it down to the marae because the venue is so busy.

Professor Mutu says she's really pleased that Ngapuhi has specifically asked tribal leaders to attend.

She says a powhiri by the mana whenua will make forum delegates feel a lot better, in terms of the tikanga they work under.

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