Mahara Hui 2014

A hackfest (or hackathon) is an event in which computer programmers and others involved in software development, including graphic designers, interface designers and project managers, collaborate intensively on software projects according to Wikipedia.

At Mahara Hui, the hackfest is a chance for developers, developers-to-be and Mahara enthusiasts to get together to:

• work on new features
• brainstorm feature enhancements
• learn how to test new features in Mahara
• get started with translating Mahara into other languages
• and others

Normally, participants bring their own computers, but we will have computers available for the day as well.

In Māori culture, a "hui" is a gathering or assembly. We use it to signify that people come together to discuss the open source ePortfolio system Mahara and the pedagogical uses of ePortfolios in many different contexts.

The Mahara Hui logo reflects this idea by bringing together members of the Mahara community. What better idea than to symbolize that with gathering around a campfire and sharing stories and ideas.

Mahara means "to think" or "thinking" in Māori. It is the name of the open source ePortfolio system that is at the center of this conference.

We will start Mahara Hui with a mihi. It is a structured greeting. The following information is taken from the mihi info sheet provided by Te Papa.

Arrival of manuhiri (visitors)
All guests will be seated with a few seats at the front for important guests and those with a speaking role on behalf of the manuhiri. A few Te Papa representatives will also be seated at the front opposite the group.

Kōrero (informal speech)
An informal speech will be given in Te Reo Māori welcoming guests to Te Papa and wishing the conference or event well. Te Papa will begin with a speech in te reo Māori, followed by a waiata (song).

The manuhiri may choose to respond in either Te Reo Māori or English followed by a waiata.

Koha (gift) - optional
At times a koha or a gift will then be presented by the manuhiri to the tangata whenua.

Hongi (to press noses in greeting)
The visiting group approach the Te Papa, then press noses (one long press or two short presses), sharing their breath, and formalising the bond and friendship between the two groups.

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Our group, the manuhiri, will be singing the waiata "Māku rā pea":

Māku rā pea
(I will perhaps)

Māku rā pea
(I will perhaps)

Māku koe e awhi e
(I will help you)

Ki te ara, ara Tupu
(Upon the pathway, of progress)

Māku koe e awhi e
(I will indeed help you)

The rauiri is the logo of Mahara.

In contemporary society, the single twist (rauiri) "represents the joining together of two people. Even though sometimes people move away, their journey of life will have their paths cross again. The single figure eight represents the path of life, it is the eternity symbol. (The single twist is different to the double or triple twist in that it refers to individual people, where the double and triple twist refers more to the joining of peoples, or cultures)." Source