The Gift

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The giving of the koha stems from the tradition of bringing gifts, usually of food, when visiting another marae. The manuhiri would bring foodstuffs that were plentiful in their area but in short supply in their hosts' district. 

The placing of the koha follows after the waiata for the last speaker for the manuhiri. It is placed on the ground in a position closer to the tangata whenua than to the manuhiri.