Te Reo Maori Language Week

It’s Maori Language Week here in New Zealand and I thought it appropriate to present a few key words and phrases so you can start to get to grips with Te Reo Maori (Maori Language). Te Reo has been gaining in popularity and is having a bit of a revival. Hopefully, with events like Maori Language Week and our still quite new Maori TV channel things will really start to take off. As Te Reo is now a part of the New Zealand Curriculum, primary school children are getting in some extra knowledge as well. But the fact is that everyday New Zealand speaking is peppered with Maori phrases that people who have grown up here take for granted. It’s only when being met with blank looks that we remember, oh, other English speakers don’t use that word. There are a few subtle differences in pronunciation but you can usually get by OK as long as you remember that “wh” is normally pronounced like an “f” sound. So have a go and kia kaha!

Useful phrases

Kia ora- Hello

Tēnā koe- Hello to one person

Tēnā kōrua- Hello to two

Tēnā koutou- Hello to three or more people

Kei te pēhea koe?- How are you?

Kei te pai.- I’m good.

Ka kite anō.- See you again.

Kia kaha.- Be strong.

Ka pai.- Well done/ Good job.

A few general vocabulary words

Whanau- all encompassing word for family that often includes close friends

Marae- a Maori meeting house

Haka- a danced performed as a challenge to others

Koha- a gift or donation

Aroha- Love

Tapu- sacred

Tāne- Man

Wahine- a woman

Tamariki- children