mihimihi
1. (verb) (-a) to greet, pay tribute, thank.
Kua kuhu ki roto i a Rongo ehara tērā i te whaikōrero, kua mihimihi tērā (Rewi 2005:82). / When they go inside into the realm of Rongo that is not a whaikōrero, that's giving a mihimihi.
Synonyms: mihi
2. (modifier) greeting.
Ko ngā kōrero ‘whakatau’ ki tōku nei mōhio he kōrero mihimihi ki te hunga kua tae mai, he whakamārama i te kaupapa i tae mai ai rātou, he kōrero whakarata noa i te manuhiri (Rewi 2005:67). / I understand, the speech of 'whakatau' to be a speech of greeting to the people who have arrived, an elucidation of the purpose that they have come for, a speech to placate the visitors.
3. (noun) speech of greeting, tribute - introductory speeches at the beginning of a gathering after the more formal pōhiri. Often take place in the evening after karakia in the meeting house. The focus of mihimihi is on the living and peaceful interrelationships.
Ki ētahi e kīia ana ngā kōrero i roto i te whare he mihimihi, he whakatau rānei (Rewi 2005:67). / According to some, the speeches in the house are called mihimihi (speech of greeting) or whakatau (formal greeting).
