Common Māori Terms

Māori

English

Māori

English

Pakeke

Adults 

Aotearoa

New Zealand

Pohiri/Powhiri

Welcome Ceremony

Chief

Poi

Ball attached to flax string

Aroha

Love

Poroporoaki

Farewell Ceremony

Atea

Courtyard

Pounamu

Greenstone

Hapū

Sub-Tribe

Ringawera

Cook

Tāhuhu Kōrero

Harakeke

Flax plant, leaves

Tamariki

Children

Hawaiiki

Ancestral homeland

Tane

Man

Hongi

Pressing Noses

Tangata Whenua

Host People/People of the land

Hue

Gourd

Tangihanga

Funeral

Hui

Meeting

Ta Moko

Art of tattoo

Inoi

Prayer

Taonga

Treasure

Tapu

Sacred

Kai

Food

Te reo Māori

Māori language

Tikanga

Customs

Kapa Haka

Māori cultural performance

Tipuna

Ancestor

Karanga

Call

Tohu

Sign

Kaumatua

Elders

Tomokanga

Gateway

Kaute/Kauta

Kitchen

Turangawaewae

Standing Place

Koha

Gift

Wahine

Woman

Kohanga Reo

Māori language nest (pre-school)

Waiata

Song, singing

Mahau

Veranda

Waka

Canoe

Mana

Authority, prestige

Wero

Challenge

Manaaki

Feeding, aiding

Whaikorero

Oratory 

Manuhiri/Manuwhiri

Visitors

Whakairo

Carving

Māoritanga

Māori Culture

Marae

Courtyard/a place for public debate/ceremonial gathering place 

Matatahi

Young People

Whare

House

Mere

Greenstone Weapon

Wharehui

Meeting House

Mihi

Speech

Wharepaku

Toilet

Wharekai

Dining Room

Oriori

Chant

Wharenui

Large house

Pa

A fortified residential area

Pakeha

Non-Māori