ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hui (Māori assembly)

Imagine you go to a giant party where lots of people from your family come together! Now, let's say this party is super important because everyone wants to talk about issues that affect their family, like how they can all work together to make their lives better. This is kind of what a hui is for Māori people in New Zealand.

A hui is when lots of Māori people come together to talk about important things like taking care of the land, making decisions for their community, or celebrating important events. It's like a big meeting where everyone gets to talk and share their ideas.

During a hui, people will sit in a big circle and take turns talking. They might use different traditions like singing songs, dancing, or telling stories to help explain their ideas. Everyone gets to listen and give their opinions. This is called "whakawhanaungatanga" which means getting to know each other and building strong relationships.

The most important thing about a hui is that everyone has a say and everyone's opinion is valuable. It's a way for Māori people to work together and make decisions as a group, which is really important for their culture and community.