Kupu
The essence of Te Ao Māori
We say kia ora and come together for pōwhiri, but we don't always understand the meaning and spirit behind Māori words and traditions, says Māori linguist Keri Opai. Audio
Te kupu o te wiki: Wīwī - France
The Māori word of the week is: Wīwī - France. Kei te mōhio koe ki te kōrero Wīwī? Do you know how to speak French? Audio
Te kupu o te wiki: whakaata - mirror
The Māori word of the week is: whakaata - mirror. Tirohia te whakaata. Look in the mirror. Audio
Te kupu o te wiki: tākuta - doctor
The Māori word of the week is: tākuta - doctor. Mā te tākuta koe e tiaki. The doctor will tend to you. Audio
Te kupu o te wiki: whetū - star
The Māori word of the week is: whetū - star. Ko Meremere-tūahiahi te whetū tuatahi o te pō. The first star at night is Venus. Audio
Te kupu o te wiki: āe - yes
The Māori word of the week is: āe - yes. Āe, kei te whakaae ahau. Yes, I agree. Audio
Te kupu o te wiki: Hāmoa - Samoa
The Māori word of the week is: Hāmoa - Samoa. Nō Hāmoa ngā tokotoru rā. They [two] are from Samoa. Audio
Te kupu o te wiki: taringa - ear
The Māori word of the week is: taringa - ear. Kua maemae taku taringa. My ear is sore. Audio
Te kupu o te wiki: tio - oyster
The Māori word of the week is: tio - oyster. Kia ono ngā tio māku. I'll have six oysters please. Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: moana - sea
The Māori word of the week is: moana - sea. Pōkarekare ana ngā wai o te moana. The waters of the ocean are choppy. Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: Te-Ika-a-Māui - the fish of Māui
The Māori word of the week is: Te Ika-a-Māui. The fish of Māui. Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: manu - bird
The Māori word of the week is: manu - bird. Whanaihia nga manu ki te ika. Feed fish to the birds. Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: maumahara - remember
The Māori word of the week is: Kia maumahara tātou. Let us remember (lest we forget). Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: Te Aranga - Easter
The Māori word of the week is: Te Aranga - Easter. E aha an koe a Te Aranga? What are you doing for Easter? Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: taihoa - hang on
The Māori word of the week is: taihoa - wait. Taihoa, ka tīmata ai tātou. Wait and we'll begin. Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: ngutu - lips
The Māori word of the week is: ngutu - lips. He mea tāmoko ngā ngutu, te kauae hoki a te tangata rā. The tāmoko extended to his lips and chin. Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: ukurere - ukulele
The Māori word of the week is: ukurere - ukulele. Ka whakatangihia e ia tana ukurere. She played her ukulele. Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: Te Waipounamu - South Island
The Māori word of the week is: Te Waipounamu - South Island. Nō Te Waipounamu te pounamu. Greenstone is from the South Island. Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: pirihimana - police officer
The Māori word of the week is: pirihimana - police officer. Pātai atu ki te pirihimana. Ask the police officer. Audio
Te Kupu o te Wiki: rū - earthquake
The Māori word of the week is: rū - earthquake. Rū ana te whenua. The earth quakes. Audio