Maori term of welcome,lit. come hither; haere is the verb. It has beencolloquially adopted.
1769. J. Hawkesworth, `Voyages,' vol. iii. p. 229 (ed. 1785):
«When they came near enough to be heard, they waved theirhands, and called out `Horomai.' These ceremonies we weretold were certain signs of their friendly disposition.»
1832. `Henry Williams' Journal,' in H. Carleton's `Life ofHenry Williams,' p. 112:
«After breakfast we went to them all; they were very glad tosee us, and gave us the usual welcome, `Haeremai! Haeremai!'»
1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' p. 249:
«As I ascended the steep hill with my train, scarcely anygreeting was addressed to me, no shouts of haeremai, souniversal a welcome to the stranger, were to be heard.»
1863. F. E. Maning ( The Pakeha-Maori ), `Old NewZealand,' p. 14:
«The boat nears the shore, and now arises from a hundred voicesthe call of welcome, `Haere mai! haere mai! hoe mai!' Mats,hands, and certain ragged petticoats all waving in the air insign of welcome. Then a pause. Then, as the boat came nearer,another burst of haere mai! But unaccustomed as I was then tothe Maori salute, I disliked the sound. There was a wailing,melancholy cadence that did not strike me as being theappropriate note of welcome.»
1867. F. Hochstetter, `New Zealand,' (English edition) p. 438:
«Rev. Mr. Chapman received me at his garden gate with a heartywelcome, the natives shouted their friendly `haeremai,' and erelong we were all in comfortable shelter beneath the missionary'sroof.»
1883. F. S. Renwick, `Betrayed,' p. 34:
«Haire mai ho! 'tis the welcome song
Rings far on the summer air.»