In a traditional Māori wedding ceremony, the greeting in which newlyweds may press noses and foreheads is called a hongi.
A hongi is a formal Māori greeting in which people press their noses and foreheads together. The gesture is often explained symbolically as the sharing of the ha, or breath of life. It can mark the movement from being manuhiri, or visitors, toward being welcomed members of a gathering.
A hongi is not exclusively a wedding ritual. It may take place during pōwhiri welcomes, visits, ceremonies, and other important Māori occasions. Its use at a wedding depends on the couple, their whānau, and the form of ceremony being followed.
The term is sometimes confused with the haka, a ceremonial performance involving movement, chanting, and facial expression. A hongi is a greeting and personal exchange, while a haka is a group performance with a different function.