Te Ao Māori & Te Reo Māori Resources
The following resources are to assist in using and understanding Te Ao Māori and Te Reo Māori.
Listen and Learn - 3 Karakia for different situations - Click title for pronunciation recording:
Credit to the University of Otago
Karakia timatanga (To Open)
Whakataka te hau ki te uru
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga
Kia mākinakina ki uta
Kia mātaratara ki tai
E hī ake ana te atakura
He tio, he huka, he hau hū
Tīhei mauri ora!
Cease the winds from the west
Cease the winds from the south
Let the breeze blow over the land
Let the breeze blow over the ocean
Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air.
A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.
Karakia whakamutunga (To close)
Unuhia, unuhia
Unuhia ki te uru tapu nui
Kia wātea, kia māmā, te ngākau, te tinana, te wairua i te ara takatā
Koia rā e Rongo, whakairia ake ki runga
Kia tina! TINA! Hui e! TĀIKI E!
Draw on, draw on,
Draw on the supreme sacredness
To clear, to free the heart, the body and the spirit of mankind
Rongo, suspended high above us (i.e. in ‘heaven’)
Draw together! Affirm!
Karakia mo te kai (To bless food)
Nau mai e ngā hua
o te wao, o te ngakina
o te wai tai, o te wai Māori
Nā Tane, Nā Rongo, Nā Tangaroa, Nā Maru
Ko Ranginui e tū iho nei
Ko Papatūānuku e takoto nei
Tuturu whakamaua
Kia tina! TINA! Hui e! TĀIKI E!
Welcome the gifts of food
from the sacred forests
from the cultivated gardens
from the sea, from the fresh waters
The food of Tane, of Rongo, of Tangaroa, of Maru
I acknowledge Ranginui who is above me, Papatuanuku who lies beneath me
Let this be my commitment to all!
Draw together! Affirm!
Useful Resources:
WellSouth Karakia & Waiata Cards
Māori Greetings & Signoffs for Letters and Emails
Helpful Links:
Tikanga Best Practice Guidelines
Whatua: Engagement for the development of Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan 2020-2025
Hongi to Hangī: And Everything in Between | Full Season | TVNZ