Whaikōrero at a Tangihanga: How Formal Speeches Work at a Māori Funeral

The Backbone of the Pōwhiri

Whaikōrero — formal oratory — is the mechanism through which a tangihanga proceeds. Without it, visiting delegations cannot be welcomed, the deceased cannot be properly honoured, and the koha cannot be presented. Every speech delivered on the paepae (the orator's bench) follows a structure that has been refined over centuries, and the expectations placed on speakers are exacting.

If you have been asked to speak at a tangi, or you are attending one for the first time and want to understand what is happening, this is what you need to know.

Who Speaks

Only designated male orators from the paepae deliver whaikōrero during the formal pōwhiri. The home people's speakers are selected by the kaumātua of the local hapū. For the visiting delegation, the group decides among themselves who will speak — typically the most senior or most experienced orator leads, and the final visiting speaker is the one who lays the koha.

Women lead the karanga (the ceremonial call that opens the welcome). This is a parallel and equally sacred role, not a lesser one. The karanga and the whaikōrero operate as complementary halves of the welcome.

The Structure of a Speech

A typical whaikōrero at a tangihanga follows a recognisable arc:

1. Tauparapara — an opening chant or incantation that establishes the spiritual frame. This may reference ancestral narratives, mountains, rivers, or whakapapa.
2. Mihi — formal greetings and acknowledgements. The speaker greets the tūpāpaku directly, speaking to the deceased in the second person as if they are present and listening. The speaker then acknowledges the whānau pani, the ancestral house, and the tribal connections between the hosts and visitors.
3. Kaupapa — the body of the speech. At a tangihanga, this typically includes a tribute to the deceased's life, their achievements, and, where appropriate, honest speech about their flaws, as well as the scale of the loss to the community. The metaphor "Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui-a-Tāne" — a mighty tōtara has fallen in the great forest of Tāne — is commonly used for leaders of great mana.
4. Waiata tautoko — the speaker's supporters immediately stand and sing a supporting song. This is not optional. A whaikōrero delivered without a waiata is considered incomplete and weakened. The waiata validates the speaker's words and carries their message collectively.

The Koha Presentation

The final visiting speaker carries the additional responsibility of presenting the delegation's koha. At the conclusion of their whaikōrero, while supporters sing the waiata, the speaker walks slowly onto the marae ātea (the open courtyard between hosts and visitors). They lay the sealed envelope on the ground, then walk backward to their seat — never turning their back on the hosts' paepae. A designated male representative from the hau kāinga walks forward, picks up the envelope, and returns it to the hosts' side. A kuia may acknowledge the gift with a brief karanga.

Handing cash directly to a family member or a marae worker is a serious breach of protocol. The koha flows through the oratorical exchange, never outside it.

Rules No One Tells You

• Never walk across the marae ātea while a speaker is standing. Crossing the open space during active whaikōrero is viewed as a profound insult. Wait at the edge of the seating area until the orator sits and the waiata finishes.
• Never exit the wharenui while a speaker is delivering their address. If you need to leave, wait for the transition between speakers.
• The front row of the paepae is reserved for the men who will speak. Women generally sit behind. Do not take a front-row seat unless you have been specifically invited to the paepae.

What If You Are Asked to Speak and You Are Not a Practised Orator?

This happens more often than people expect, especially for urban Māori or non-Māori who have married into a whānau. The honest answer: speak with your elders beforehand. If you are not experienced in te reo Māori, you can deliver your tribute in English — most marae accept this. What matters is sincerity, respect, and having a waiata prepared. Your supporters must be ready to stand and sing the moment you sit down.

Our Māori Tangihanga Guide covers oratory protocols across different tribal regions, includes guidance on tau utuutu and pāeke speaking orders, and provides the exact questions to ask the marae committee before the pōwhiri begins.