Wharekai Opening

Marae Security Team Briefing · 7-day lead-in

Kia ora whānau,

We're 7 days out from one of the biggest days our marae has seen — the wharekai opening. This briefing is for our security team. Everything you need to know for the day is captured here: the big picture, the areas we're looking after, what to wear, where to be, how we hope the day to run, and how we intend to keep our marae safe and moving.

Have a read through. If you have any questions, just ask or reach out — my number is below. We're all in this together.

Our Big Picture

This is more than an event — it's the opening of our wharekai, a home for our whānau and our visitors for generations to come. We want every manuhiri (guest) who walks onto our marae to feel the warmth of our welcome the moment they arrive. The security team is a huge part of that. We're not here to be hard or unwelcoming — we're here to make sure the day flows smoothly, that our whānau are safe, and that everyone feels looked after.

Areas We're Looking After

🚪 Gate & Car Park

First point of contact. Direct traffic, greet every car, point people to the welcome area.

🚶 Pedestrian Flow

Main pathways, entrances and exits. Keep walkways clear, especially near kai and seating.

🏠 Marae Interior

Inside the wharekai — doorways, corridors, restricted areas. Eyes open, calm presence.

🚗 Perimeter

Boundary of the marae grounds. Unauthorised vehicles or people — redirect politely.

What to Wear

Comfortable all-black or dark clothing — no branding, no logos
Sturdy footwear (you'll be on your feet most of the day)
Weather-ready jacket — we're in Aotearoa, expect sun and rain
Comms earpiece if you've been issued one
Your kaitiaki lanyard / badge

Where to Be & When

7:00am — Kaitiaki briefing under the wharenui. Coffee ready.
8:00am — Manuhiri start arriving. All teams to posts.
9:00am — Pōwhiri / opening ceremony begins.
12:00pm — Kai (lunch service). Help with flow, keep pathways clear.
3:00pm — Afternoon activities / whakawhanaungatanga.
6:00pm — Wrap / karakia. Final check of grounds.

How We Keep Our Marae Safe

Warm greeting first — every person is a guest before they're a stranger. Smile, greet, then check.
Two-person rule — never approach a situation alone. Call for backup, stay together.
Comms check — radio check every hour on the hour. Silence means check in.
Hydrate — we've got water stations. Take your breaks. A tired kaitiaki misses things.
Escalate, don't escalate — any tension, call the lead. We de-escalate, we don't confront.

Looking Forward to This Day

We've been working toward this for a long time. This wharekai is for our whānau, our mokopuna, our kaumātua — and for the manuhiri who will walk through these doors for generations. The security we provide on opening day isn't just about safety. It's about making sure every single person who arrives feels the warmth of our marae the moment they step onto the whenua. A warm welcome starts with us.

Nōku te mauri — we've got this. See you at 7.