ME MAU KI TE REO MĀORI

Give Korero Maori a go! You can find interactive conversations, language resources, and advice to help you increase your knowledge of reo Māori.

MIHIMIHI

Ko Wharepuhunga te maunga	Wharepuhunga is the mountain
Ko Puniu te awa	Puniu is the river
Ko Tainui te waka	Tainui is the waka
Ko Hoturoa te tangata	Hoturoa is 'the man'
Ko Rāwhitiroa te marae	Rāwhitiroa is the marae
Ko Ngati Takihiku te hapu	Ngati Takihiku is the su-tribe
Ko Raukawa (ki Wharepuhunga) te iwi	Raukawa (ki Wharepuhunga) is the tribe
Ko Tuheitia te Kingi	Tuheitia is the King
Ko Marerahi ahau	I am Marerahi

MIHI

Greetings		Translation Links
Kia Ora	Hi
Tēna Koe	Hello (to one peron)
Tēna Korua	Hello (to two people)
Tēna Koutou	Hello (to three or more people)
Inquiring Question
E pewhea ana koe?	How are you?
*Responses*
E pai ana	I'm good
Ka nui te pai	I'm great
Me koe?	And you?
*Farewells*
Haere ra	Goodbye (to someone leaving)
E noho ra	Goodbye (to someone staying)
Ka kite ano	See you again
Hei kōna	See you later

WHAKATAUKĪ - WHAKATAUĀKĪ

Māori proverbs comment on many aspects of Māori culture including history, religious life, conduct, ethics, land, warfare, love, marriage, and death. Some sayings refer to cultural practices or attributes that have since changed or no longer exist. However, most can be adapted and applied to present-day situations.

Here are some examples of some well known and widely used Māori proverbs.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou	With your food basket and my food basket
ka ora ai te iwi	the people will thrive

He aha te mea nui o te ao?	What is the most important thing in the world?
He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!	It is people! It is people! It is people!

Whaia te iti kahurangi. Ki te tuohu koe	Persue excellence. Should you stumble,
me he maunga teitei	let it be to a lofty mountain

GO ON, DON'T BE SHY ... E-MAIL US WITH YOUR WAWATA

Page last updated 25 Jul 2009