Language – 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 |
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| 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 |