Way of Life

Introduction (Pepeha)

A traditional Māori introduction of yourself. It tells people who you are, linking you to the land, mountain, river, sea, tribe, subtribe, whakapapa (genealogy) and marae (sacred meeting place). Here is a simple pepeha:

Tihe mauri ora!

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Ko (name of your waka) te waka
Ko (name of your mountain) te maunga
Ko (name of your river) te awa
Ko (name of your tribe) te iwi
Ko (name of your sub tribe) te hapū
Ko (your name) ahau

Let there be life!
My canoe is (name of your canoe)
My mountain is (name of mountain)
My river is (name of your tribe)
My tribe is (name of your tribe)
My sub-tribe is (name of your sub-tribe)
I am (your name)

Inu (Drinks)

The word inu is a generic term for a drink and drinking.

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Huka - sugar
Kawhe - coffee
Kawhe pango roa - long black
Kawhe pango poto - short black
Kaputino - cappuccino
Kawhe kore kohuka - flat white
Kirimi - cream
Moka - mocha
Miraka - milk
Miraka kore kirimi - trim milk
Pia - beer
Rate - latte
Tī - tea
Wai - water
Wai reka - soft drink
Wai ārani - orange juice
Waina - wine

Kai

Is non earchillibus ea sim conse quis est eatur sereperum aliae. Ab is ilia quiatur? Quiam fuga.

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Itatibus alit velibustorum et et quia viti cones invenis alitasp ellistiassum quisserum que illatus ciisimi Ut et, sitempos et, cus aut re nistium fugiae nos sed utaturibea sit omnis entiaepta volum Ut et, sitempos et, cus aut re nistium sit omnis entiaepta volum. Quiam fuga. Itatibus alit velibustorum et et quia viti cones invenis alitasp ellistiassum quisserum que illatus. Is non earchillibus ea sim conse quis est eatur sereperum aliae.

Ab is ilia quiatur? Quiam fuga. Itatibus alit velibustorum et et quia viti cones invenis alitasp ellistiassum quisserum que illatus ciisimi Ut et, sitempos et, cus aut re nistium fugiae nos sed utaturibea sit omnis entiaepta volum Ut et, sitempos et, cus aut re nistium sit omnis entiaepta volum. Quiam fuga. Itatibus alit velibustorum et et quia viti cones invenis alitasp ellistiassum quisserum que illatus. Is non earchillibus ea sim conse quis est eatur sereperum aliae.

Kai (food)

Traditional Māori foods are still enjoyed today and incorporated into dishes that suit modern tastes. The hāngī or earth oven is a traditional cooking method for a feast that is still popular today.

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Hāngī - food cooked in an earth oven
Heihei - chicken
Huamata - salad
Huarākau - fruit
Hua whenua - vegetables
Ika - fish
Keke - cake
Kūmara - sweet potato
Mīti - meat
Paraoa - bread
Pihikete - biscuit
Purini - dessert
Rīwai - potato

Kaimoana

For many people, including Māori, kai is a very important part of culture because gathering, preparing and sharing kai shows hospitality and respect for visitors. Food and the culture and customs around it create a sense of community.

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Kaimoana refers to food which has been gathered from the sea:

Pāua - abalone
Ika -fish
Kōura - crayfish
Kina - sea egg
Karengo - seaweed
Wheke - octopus
Kahitua - beach
Pipi Tuangi - cockle

Māori Language

The Māori Language Commission promotes and fosters the use of Māori as a living language.

Te Reo Māori is one of the three official languages of New Zealand. The other two are English and New Zealand Sign Language.

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Try its resources for a pronunciation guide and to learn helpful words and phrases - Learning Te Reo Māori.

Māori Music and Performing Arts

Māori song, dance and music were important ways of celebrating, retaining and transmitting the life, customs and history of Māori.

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Traditionally there was a song (waiata) for every occasion and many are still sung today. Modern compositions often reflect the issues of the day.

Musical instruments (taonga puoro) were part of many rituals and were also played to entertain. Many drew on the sounds of nature and were made from gourds, bone, shell, stone and wood.

The haka is a traditional dance made famous by our national rugby team, the All Blacks. But haka includes a wide range of dance styles, including many performed by women. A haka could entertain, criticise or praise someone, welcome guests, celebrate important ceremonies, honour ancestors or the dead, and teach traditions.

Kapa Haka is a modern term for a team (kapa) that performs traditional and contemporary Māori dances such as the haka. Their repertoire includes poi, haka, and other activities performed by cultural groups or individuals, and can take place in formal or informal settings, on marae, at schools, or at Kapa Haka festivals.

Māori phrases

Greeting someone in the Māori language is a simple way of communicating respect, appreciation and friendliness.

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Kia ora - hi, hello or thank you
Tēnā koe - hello to one person
Tēnā kōrua - hello to two people
Tēnā koutou - hello to three or more people
Mōrena - good morning
Haere mai - welcome
Kei te pēhea koe? - how are you?
Kei te pai - I'm great
Ka pai - that's good
Ka kite anō - see you later

Marae

A Māori community's hub is its marae, where Māori retain their tribal history and stories, genealogy, customs and traditions.

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These days some marae are also based in non-traditional settings such as hospitals, schools and universities. Even Auckland International Airport has a marae!

Tips when visiting a marae:

Smoking during the powhiri (welcome) and inside marae buildings is not allowed.
Avoid walking in front of the speakers.
In the wharekai (dining hall) do not sit on tables or kitchen benches as these surfaces are for food.
Greet your hosts with 'Kia ora!'

Pōwhiri

The powhiri is a traditional ceremony of welcome for visitors.

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Tangata Whenua are the hosts or local people who belong to the marae. Visitors are manuhiri.

The wero or ritual challenge occurs when important visitors are being welcomed. A warrior will lay a small token before a visitor to test whether a visitor is a friend or foe.

The karanga or call of welcome is given by a woman from the host side and she will be responded to by a karanga from the manuhiri. This exchange welcomes visitors, identifies them and their purpose, and acknowledges the dead.

Visitors walk slowly onto the marae during the karanga. After standing briefly as a mark of respect, visitors can take their seat. Men occupy seats in front and women are seated behind them.

Formal speeches or whaikōrero are then made by the hosts and visitors. Each speech is supported by a song (waiata) that is usually appropriate to the speech or occasion.

After the speeches, the visitors usually present a gift or koha to their hosts. This is then followed by visitors greeting their hosts with a handshake and hongi, a Māori custom of pressing noses.

To cap off formal proceedings, food (kai) is shared, in keeping with Māori hospitality.

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