A number of kaimahi were present to support the marae team in welcoming our overseas guests.

The seventy-five-strong French delegation, which included players, officials and media travelling with the team, were welcomed on to Ngākau Māhaki by a kapa haka group from Ngā Puna o Waiorea, Western Springs College.

Bringing the French team on to our marae was Māori language academic and broadcaster, Te Manahau (Scotty) Morrison (Ngati Whakaue/Te Arawa), a former Adjunct Professor and Director of Māori Student and Community Engagement, who continues to promote te reo Māori at Unitec.

Following the pōwhiri, Te Manahau joined Kaihautu, Hohepa Renata in giving our manuhiri an introduction to Māori culture, customs, language and our whare.

They also spoke about our historical relationship with France, such as the French settlement in Akaroa and the French missionaries who brought Catholicism to our shores in the early 1800s.

There were humorous references to the coming games against the All Blacks and the friendly rivalry that exists on the rugby field.

An exchange of gifts then took place, as well as a blessing of four carvings to be awarded to the French team’s best performing players in the coming series.

Ngā Puna o Waiorea then gave a breathtaking performance of kapa haka and waiata.

There were cheers from the French team when some of the players were invited to perform with the group.

At the conclusion of the performance, the French team were invited into Manaaki for a hangi dinner.

The reigning Six Nations champions play three test matches against the All Blacks on their tour on 5 July (Dunedin), 12 July (Wellington) and 19 July (Hamilton).

Captain Gael Fickou leads the team, which boasts players of Pacific heritage including Fijian Alivereti Duguivalu, Matthias Halagahu and Romain Taofifenua, whose father, Willy Taofifenua, was one of the first players from Wallis and Futuna to play professional rugby in France.

Pae Arahi, Hare Paniora is grateful for the opportunity for Unitec to showcase its hospitality.

It was a privilege indeed for Unitec to provide a pōwhiri for the French Rugby Team to Aotearoa, and of course to Auckland,” he says.

“It was an opportunity for the visitors to witness and participate in Māori culture via the haka pōwhiri, to be consumed by the ambience of the carved house, the sharing of the house, the wonderful performance by Waiorea, the hangi delights provided for by master chef, and finally the relaxed attitude of everyone, with no media or pressure placed on the visitors. Manawa nui! Manawa Ora! Unitec.”