Te Reo Māori glossary
Here are some te reo Māori words you might come across when visiting Wellington and our websites
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is an annual celebration held with the aim of inspiring New Zealanders to speak the Māori language proudly. At the same time, The Māori Language Festival of Wellington celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Māori language petition.
The petition was delivered to Parliament by Hana Te Hemara with support from Te Reo Māori Society of Victoria University and Ngā Tamatoa of The University of Auckland on 14 September 1972. It called for the revitalisation of the Māori language.
Te Hui Ahurei is one of the ways that Te Whanganui a Tara is commemorating this important , through a joyful series of arts experiences that champion te reo Māori in the city.
We have chosen to join that kaupapa by continuing to share our content with some direct translations as well as continuing to grow our Te Reo Māori glossary across this website. We hope these simple every day words will help you integrate Te Reo into your every day life.
Definitions
Across WellingtonNZ, these words have been added to support the ongoing education of te reo Māori (the Māori language). This tool was made possible with the help of Te Murumāra Foundation and in particular Te Aka Māori Dictionary for making their resources available.
We'd also like to thank DNA who helped us develop the tool and Māpuna Consultants for guiding us through the process.
Click on each word and then on the speaker icon to hear how you pronounce it.
| Word | Translation |
| to dance or perform | |
| traditional Māori method of cooking food underground using hot stones | |
| the document room | |
| paddle, oar | |
| Māori tribe | |
| ancestor | |
| food | |
| guide | |
| prayer | |
| stories | |
| word | |
| work | |
| hospitality | |
| power associated with possession and occupation of tribal lands | |
| guest | |
| knowledge | |
| life force | |
| welcome speech | |
| Māori village | |
| abalone | |
| greenstone | |
| Māori leaders | |
| potato bread | |
| children | |
| people of the land | |
| water monster | |
| treasures | |
| North Island | |
| South Island | |
| Wellington | |
| Treaty of Waitangi | |
| Ornamental lattice-work - used particularly between carvings around the walls of meeting houses | |
| sacred sites | |
| canoe | |
| treasure box | |
| voyaging | |
| fishing canoe | |
| dugout canoe without attached sides | |
| genealogy, descent, family history | |
| family | |
| ponga houses | |
| house of canoes | |
| land |
Audio clips and definitions courtesy of Te Aka Maori Dictionary.