Say it TIKA Say it RIGHT Long Vowels – marked with a macron (Māori) Ā As in bar Ē As in dairy Ī As in peel Ō As in bore Ū As in too Consonants N Ng W Wh As in winger As in film Is rolled, pronounced as a soft ‘d’
Short Vowels A E I O U
As in but As in vet As in beat As in walk As in to
H P
K R Ng Wh R
M T
Pronunciation Examples
Tuhakaraina Tu/ha/ka/rai/na Too / ha / car/ rye / nah
Kuka Ku/ka Cook / a
Ohia O/hi/a Or / he / a
Taikato Tai/ka/to Tie / car / tour
Place Names
Katikati Ka/ti/ka/ti Car / tea / car / tea
Tauranga Te Puke Tau/ra/nga Te Pu/ke Toe / rung / a Tear / Poor / Key
Otumoetai O/tu/moe/tai Or / to /moi / tie
Common Words – their Meaning & an example of Usage Tumeke Reka Tino Kia ora – informal Mōrena Kei tē pai Ka pai Tino pai Auē Koha
Awesome Sweet Very Hello, thank you, best wishes, good luck Morning Very good Good Excellent Oh dear! Donation, offering, contribution
Maori Language Resource Quick Sheet
WBOP PHO
That was tumeke The kai was tino reka Kia ora WBOPPHO Kia ora for that Morena everyone I am kei te pai thankyou That was tino pai! Aue! Is he ok? I would like to give a koha thank you
October 2017