some key MÄ ori words in
New Zealand
English
whānau Extended family. Not just parents and children but the wider family group including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins etc.
“A man who "sacrificed his own life" to save his two daughters and a 7year-old niece from drowning is being hailed a hero by his whānau.” Otago Daily Times 03/01/2015
“We are all proud of how she balances her own whānau life while studying mathematics post-graduate papers and delivering her teaching workload.” Gisborne Herald 03/01/2015
“Cowley said everyone in New Zealand has a part to play in helping others stop smoking, and that the support of friends and whānau is vital once someone makes the decision to quit.” Scoop 01/12/2014
te reo Māori Te reo Māori is the Māori language. For Māori, the language is a taonga (treasure) from God and their ancestors. It is found nowhere else in the world and is one of the unique features of New Zealand heritage.
E Ihowā Atua, O ngā iwi mātou rā Āta whakarangona; Me aroha noa Kia hua ko te pai; Kia tau tō atawhai; Manaakitia mai Aotearoa
“Here are two copies of the New Zealand National Anthem, one is in English and the other is in te reo Māori”.
God of Nations at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our free land. Guard Pacific's triple star From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand.
“McDougall says the ‘culture of creativity’ in Wellington has enabled them to combine studying with making music. He is currently finishing a BA in marketing and te reo Māori at Victoria University.” The Dominion Post 11/01/2015
Te Papa The common name for the Museum of New Zealand located on the waterfront in Wellington. It is short for ‘Te Papa Tongarewa’ which translates approximately as ‘the place of treasures of this land’. “Te Papa plans to move up to half its treasures out of Wellington in the long term, according to documents obtained by The Dominion Post. The national museum announced last September that it would move some collections north to reduce earthquake risk, as part of a plan to build a new South Auckland collections and exhibition centre.” Stuff 06/09/2014
“Scientists will get a second chance to defrost and examine a colossal squid at Te Papa, after one of the rarely seen creatures was caught on a fishing boat longline off Antarctica.” Stuff 11/08/2014
“Te Papa's mission has always been impossible. It wanted to appeal, if not to everybody, then nearly everybody. Its founding ideal was a noble, democratic one: to interest 14-year-olds from poor suburbs as well as the cultural elite.” The Dominion Post 06/09/2014
Matariki In the Māori language Matariki is both the name of the Pleiades star cluster (shown in the picture below) and also of the season of its first rising in late May or early June—and thus is traditionally considered as the beginning of the New Year by Māori. “Matariki has evolved from being a time when Māori would cultivate their crops and collect seafood and birds, to being like New Zealand's Thanksgiving. In our family, it is when we all get together and look at what we have done and where we are headed.” The New Zealand Herald 20/07/2014
“Oromahoe School's Light Festival, one of the Mid North's winter highlights, is returning on Saturday, June 28. The evening event celebrates Matariki, the Māori New Year, and is the school's main fundraiser. It is now in its sixth year.” The Northern Advocate 25/06/2014
““Māori traditionally flew kites to symbolise Matariki or Māori New Year (Pleiades), in a way the kite was seen as a sacred thread connecting heaven and earth,” says John Postlethwaite, Taniwha & Dragon Organising Committee.” Scoop 19/04/2013
pākehā This is the word for people of European descent living in New Zealand.
“The New Zealand coat of arms (shown at left) features a man and a woman symbolising both the Pākehā and Māori peoples of this land.”
““We’ve been humbled by support for the Māori Party out there in the community especially from Pākehā and those from other cultures,” says Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.” Scoop 10/09/2014
“A new heritage park commemorating the first chapter in New Zealand's history as a nation of Māori and Pākehā is due to be opened in the Bay of Islands this weekend.” The Northern Advocate 19/12/2014
iwi In New Zealand society, iwi form the largest social units in Māori culture. The word iwi means 'peoples' or 'nations', and is often translated as ‘tribe’. “Tourism operators and Far North residents have been told by the Government that they have "nothing to worry about" after local iwi expressed a wish to restrict vehicle access to Ninety Mile Beach.” The New Zealand Herald 06/11/2014
“The map at left shows the locations traditionally inhabited by the various iwi of New Zealand.”
“Te Ururoa Flavell (pictured at right) is a New Zealand politician who became coleader of the Māori Party in 2013. He belongs to the Ngati Rangiwewehi and Ngapuhi iwi and lives in Rotorua”.
Aotearoa New Zealand. The common literal translation is ‘the land of the long white cloud’.
“The settlement of Aotearoa, just 750 years ago, was the last step in the great human journey, from Africa to Aotearoa and everywhere in between in 60,000 years.” The New Zealand Herald 09/01/2015
“Even with all the initiatives in place here in Aotearoa helping to protect Kiwi (the bird), its decline is still very much a concern. ” Māori Television 07/01/2015
“For we are diverse! People have come to Aotearoa from all corners of the world, bringing their histories, languages and cultures, their art, music and dance, their food and traditions of hospitality, and their spiritual and religious beliefs.” The New Zealand Herald 11/12/2014
hāngī An earth oven to cook food with steam and heat from heated stones.
“About 500 people gathered at the marae, which included a hāngī of hundreds of potatoes, 500 chicken legs, 40 pumpkins, 15 cabbages, four sheep and three pigs.” The Press 06/02/2013
“He said it was important people remember to keep a hāngī a safe distance from houses and fences and make sure hoses and adequate water were nearby.” Taranaki Daily News 25/12/2013
hongi A hongi is a traditional Māori greeting. It is done by pressing one's nose and forehead to another person’s at the same time. “This morning Dr Merkel was welcomed at Government House with a hongi, haka and a 19-gun salute.” (Describing German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to New Zealand) The New Zealand Herald 14/11/2014
“I gave her a hongi and we hugged and she burst into tears. She was just so overwhelmed and moved." The New Zealand Herald 23 10 2013
marae The open area in front of the wharenui (meeting house), where formal greetings and discussions take place. Often also used to describe the complex of buildings around the marae. “Hundreds of visitors have been welcomed on to Otakou Marae, Dunedin, in brilliant sunshine for the South’s Ngai Tahu Treaty Festival, aimed at bringing community together.” Stuff 06/02/2014
“Nearly 400,000 Māori know which of the country’s 800-plus marae is theirs, and most would like to visit more often, according to the first report of its kind from Statistics New Zealand.” Stuff 15/12/2014
“Every month a Whangarei woman deposits money into Kairau Marae's bank account. Despite living hundreds of kilometres away the 76-year-old feels connected to the place and does what she can to contribute.” Taranaki Daily News 09/01/2015
kia ora Hi. This informal Māori greeting literally means ‘be well/healthy’, but is used as an informal ‘hi’ by New Zealanders. It also means ‘thank you’. “New Zealand soldiers are teaching their Australian counterparts in Timor-Leste to say kia ora and play soccer with the locals.” TVNZ 03/04/2009
"Far too often we go overseas and do a haka and say 'kia ora' and all of that sort of carry-on, but still don't appreciate that the X factor for this country is the Māori factor." Stuff 20/11/2014
“One of the world's most powerful men, President Xi greeted the audience, saying ‘kia ora’ and saying that while in New Zealand he felt the sense of ‘100 per cent pure’, the slogan of Tourism New Zealand.” Stuff 21/11/2014
koru A spiral pattern derived from the unfolding of a fern leaf. Symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace it is commonly used in Māori art, carving and tattoos. “The airline's livery will change from just the blue and teal (this colour ■) koru on the tail to the entire rear section of the plane being painted black with both the koru and Tourism NZ's fern.” 3 News 11/06/2013 "If somebody's got a koru on their arm, is that going to scare the tourists? I think it's a bit rich that Air NZ ... are outlawing on their staff something that's on the tail of the plane.” The New Zealand Herald 29/05/2013
kūmara Sweet potato “She said they started peeling kūmara and potatoes on Monday, just so they could get everything done in time.” Radio New Zealand 25/12/2014
“In New Zealand the majority of kūmara is grown in Northland where the soil type and climatic conditions suit kūmara perfectly.” The Southland Times 08/08/2014
kai Food “They had brought kai from home, such as potatoes, kumara and sausages, harvested cress and provided cooking utensils…” Northern News 10/08/2011
“Mr Makiha said the first new moon after the rise of Matariki was critical for the harvesting of kai and for starting afresh. ‘Back then you had to rely on Matariki getting your own food for the survival of your families from the rivers, the lakes and seas.’” The New Zealand Herald 27/06/2014
“The father and daughter set off from Mahia Peninsula with their uncle yesterday, to gather kai moana (food from the sea) for an upcoming family wedding.” Stuff 07/11/2014
pounamu Greenstone, nephrite, jade
“In an interview, [Orlando] Bloom told ONE News Europe Correspondent Jessica Mutch that he has a strong affinity with New Zealand and always wears his pounamu necklace.” TVNZ 04/12/2014 “A 175kg block of pounamu seized by Customs officials was returned to West Coast Māori today, amid a crackdown on illegal trade in the Ngai Tahu-owned stone.” The New Zealand Herald 26/12/2012
pōwhiri A traditional Māori welcome ceremony for visitors that often, but not always, takes place on a marae. It consists of performances, speeches, singing and begins with a wero, an aggressive challenge to guests using ceremonial weapons.
“The buses circled the town before coming to a stop at the Pahiatua town hall where they were welcomed by a pōwhiri.” Manawatu Standard 30/10/2014
“She was welcomed to the school at a pōwhiri two weeks ago and "handed over" to her new school by representatives from her former school, Kavanagh College, who travelled to Timaru from Dunedin for the occasion.” The Timaru Herald 29/05/2013
haka A dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment. It used to be performed by warriors before battle to scare the enemy but is now used to welcome important guests, acknowledge great achievements, occasions or funerals. “A victorious John Key was honoured with a fearsome haka when he emerged from his house tonight.” (Following his election night victory) TVNZ 20/09/2014
“A video of the passionate haka performed by the comrades of three fallen New Zealand soldiers has gone viral, with tens of thousands of people around the world watching the clip.” (Following the funeral of three Kiwi soldiers killed in Afghanistan) The New Zealand Herald 28/08/2012
Waitangi Waitangi is a place in the Bay of Islands in the north of New Zealand. On 6th February 1840, over 500 Māori chiefs with a few dozen British settlers gathered together there to establish an agreement between the indigenous people of Aoteoroa (New Zealand) and the British Crown. The Treaty of Waitangi is the founding document of New Zealand. Each year on the 6th February Kiwis remember the day the Treaty was signed through a public holiday called Waitangi Day. “On Waitangi Day most Kiwis opt for a barbecue, go to a concert or take the chance to go to the beach like any other day off. They make a point of making the day quite ordinary, and I understand why.” The Dominion Post 05/02/2013
“New ways to learn about New Zealand history have been introduced to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in time for the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty. The new features are part of an estimated $12.5 million redevelopment project which includes a $9.5 million museum.” The Northern Advocate 14/01/2015
waka A traditional Māori canoe (a type of boat). These can be of a variety of sizes, with some waka taua (war canoes) up to 40m long. These are now mainly used for ceremonial purposes.
“The biennial event saw waka ama teams race 25km from Okahu Bay in the Waitemata Harbour across the water and over land to the Manukau Harbour.” Manukau Courier 18/02/2014
“An ancient waka found on the South Island’s West Coast has created a scientific sensation around the world. The 600-yearold canoe, with a turtle carved on its hull, is proving that Polynesians sailed between what is now French Polynesia and New Zealand.” Stuff 02/10/2014
wero Challenge. This is part of a traditional Māori greeting or pōwhiri. A young warrior will approach the most important guest in a group with a taiaha (a type of spear). This is a non-verbal way of determining the motives of the visitors. A gift is placed at the feet of the guest. If the guest picks the gift up then this indicates they accept the challenge and that the interactions between the two sides will therefore be peaceful. “Chinese President Xi Jinping about to accept the wero during a welcome ceremony.” (shown at left) “As baby Prince George was taken inside out of the chilly, windy conditions, all eyes were on another George at the traditional pōwhiri to William and Catherine. George Mana, a warrant officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, was the warrior who issued the wero, or challenge, to the Duke.” (shown at bottom) The New Zealand Herald 08/04/2014
whakapapa Genealogy. A fundamental principle in Māori culture. Whakapapa is about a Māori person’s connections to other people and his/her relationship with other people through common ancestors. Māori people frequently recount their whakapapa when formally introducing themselves and it is considered to define their identity.
"Social networks help Māori maintain links with their heritage, and create an alternative to the oral tradition of whakapapa that usually takes place on the marae.” Stuff 20/11/2014 “A new Taranaki Māori archive research and training centre is set to become a base for Māori wanting to research their whakapapa.” Taranaki Daily News 27/08/2014