TIKANGA | ETIQUETTE
For our international visitors here is a quick overview of some common cultural practices and etiquette that may be unfamiliar. Aotearoa New Zealand is a bicultural country. Our nation is founded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi, an agreement between Māori and Pākehā (European). NDF honours te tiriti and respects the customs and traditions of Māori. You will see this in some of the things we do during the conference.
Here is a guide to some of the practises you will see and some good manners to help you avoid any unintentional offence or embarrassment.
Entering or crossing a room while someone is speaking
Please don't cross in front of someone who is addressing an audience. If you are late to a session you may wait for a pause or enter quietly and stick to the sides of the room.
Food - customs and manners around eating
Kai (food) is an important part of manākitanga (hospitality, nurturing, and kindness). There are a few customs around food to be aware of.
A karakia (blessing) of thanks and acknowledgement will be said over the food before people eat at main meal breaks, led by a member of the NDF Board or mana whenua representative. Please wait for this before serving your meal.
Food should not be passed over people's heads as food is noa (ordinary) and the head is tapu (sacred) and the two should be kept separate.
Heads - please don't touch
A person's head is regarded as tapu (sacred) in Māori culture - please don't touch someone on the head unless you are invited to do so.
Stepping over people - try not to
Try to avoid stepping over people as it's regarded as impolite. If you must, please ask the person to move their legs out of the way first. To assist people with this, when attending talks please take a seat in the middle of the row - that way people won't have to step over you.
Tables - no hats, bags, or bottoms please
Avoid sitting on tables, or leaning your bottom against tables. Please don't place bags or hats on tables. Put your hats and bags on a chair, a hook, or on the floor instead.
Bags and bottoms are seen to be unhygienic. Hats are associated with the head which Māori consider tapu (sacred) and should be kept separate from food.
Speaker etiquette
Here are some things you may notice speakers do at NDF23:
Acknowledge local iwi
The main local iwi for the Wellington area are Ngāti Toa and Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika a Maui.
Introduce themselves with a pepeha
A pepeha is a way of introducing yourself in Māori. It tells people who the speaker is by sharing their connections with the people and places that are important to them.
Here are some resources for learning more about pepeha, and learning how to form your own pepeha: