Hello kiwi’s. I think I have made a social embarrassment of myself at my new job. Background: I am in New Zealand for 1 year on a graduate exchange from Denmark. I am working in a government ministry. On Monday I had a powhiri (spelling? Maori welcome). I have done a lot of research to NZ around history etc, Maori peoples and colonialism occurrences.

Context: a lady who performed the welcome (a Maori lady) introduced herself to me to welcome me to the department. I went to shake her hand and said “it’s a pleasure to meet someone native to Aotearoa” (I think I pronounced this correctly). She slapped hand away and said “do not call me native thank you” and walked away. What I did was wrong? I thought this could be a compliment. I talked with a manager and she said maybe the better word is ‘indigenous’. (I didn’t really know this word before but after looking in dictionary it seems to be the same as native?). The manager said she would like to arrange a meeting between me and this lady so she can apologise for smacking my hand (I do not care about this), but I would also like to apologise to her for misunderstanding. Is saying native really offensive? Did I embarrass myself a lot to say this? I would love to learn more about NZ & Maori culture while I stay here. If anyone could please educate me on good social cue for work setting in NZ this would be good :) and please don’t be angry I am just learning :) thank you ! Takk (danish thanks)