Venue opens for warm up

Cadet Men’s Epee

Cadet Women’s Foil

Cadet Men’s Sabre

Official Opening Ceremony

Everyone is expected to gather, in the podium area for the opening ceremony. Opening ceremony includes a traditional welcome or mihi whakatau to Ōtautahi (Christchurch) from the local Hapū – Ngāi Tūāhuriri Hapū. The mihi will be performed by Manawhenua or people in authority over the land and includes a welcome to all visitors and an invitation for all to share in the history, culture, and traditions of this area and of New Zealand as a whole.

The mihi whakatau commences with a karakia (prayer); This is followed by a mihi or welcome and waiata or song that will officially welcome the the athletes and officials on behalf of the Manawhenua (Ngāi Tūāhuriri Hapū) local Hapū (tribe).

It is an expectation that visitors react in a relaxed manner. For manawhenua it is an acceptance of the physical presence of the visitors and our ancestors. Walking in front of a speaker or talking over someone delivering the mihi must be avoided. We request the gathering be silent throughout the mihi and cultural performance.