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Story: Te kawa o te marae

Welcome at Mt Maunganui, 1840s

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Welcome at Mt Maunganui, 1840s

This drawing by Joseph Merrett dates from around 1843. It shows two groups meeting and greeting each other during a ceremonial welcome at Mt Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty. The pōwhiri (welcome) ceremony is designed to confirm that the other party has peaceful intentions.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: E-216-f-119

by Joseph Jenner Merrett

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Basil Keane, Te kawa o te marae – Mythology and history of marae protocol, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/41367/welcome-at-mt-maunganui-1840s (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Basil Keane, published 22 April 2013.