A Hongi is a traditional Maori greeting in New Zealand. It is done by pressing noses toghther, during the hongi the ha or breath of life is exchanged and intermingled.

It is still used at traditional meetings among members of the Maori people at major ceremonies, and on the marae.

Through the exchange of this physical greeting, you are no longer considered a visitor or manuhiri, but rather tangata whenua, or one of the people of the land. For the remainder of your stay you are obliged to share in all the duties and responsibilities of the home people. In earlier times, this may have meant bearing arms in times of war, or tending crops of kumara.