Meaning
Te Aka Māori Dictionary translates koha as a gift, present, offering, donation or contribution, especially one that maintains social relationships and carries connotations of reciprocity. Otago Polytechnic’s koha policy describes it as a gift or contribution made in a Māori cultural context, usually in recognition of hospitality, that “reflects the mana of both the donor and the recipient and embodies the philosophy of reciprocity.” The same policy separates koha from ordinary expenses such as marae hire, food and resources.
Listen first
Koha sits inside tikanga, Māori customary values and practices. New Zealand’s Ministry of Justice research paper He Hīnātore ki te Ao Māori explains that tikanga is not a static set of rules but a values-based system, and describes utu, reciprocity, as a principle that maintains relationships. The policy notes that koha is typically given on occasions such as a pōwhiri (welcome) or a marae visit, and that what is fitting depends on the occasion. Visitors should ask local hosts rather than assume.
Not a generic label
Because koha belongs to Māori relationships and protocol, it should not be applied to every unpaid transfer of goods. iGift is not a koha program and is not described here as Māori-run. Institutional policies are cited only for how they define koha, not as Māori community authority.