“Ko te whenua te waiū mō ngā uri whakatipu” / “The land is the sustenance for future generations.”
Traditional Māori Proverb
When learning any language, learning the names of colours, basic objects, and animals is always a good place to start. They allow you to build up lists of nouns that you can combine with adjectives to make sentences. If you're learning te reo Māori, here are some of the animal words you should know.
With all the wildlife and nature in New Zealand, you could spend ages learning all the names of the animals in Māori. Rather than doing that, we'll start with some common animals and group them. Make a note of these new words, perhaps even combining them with some Māori colour words, to learn and try to use effective study techniques (more on that later) to aid retention.
Land Animals
When learning vocabulary, it's important to start with everyday things, just like learning the words for family in Māori. For most, land animals are the most commonly known and understood. Start with these.
With the right vocabulary, you can talk about your favourite furry friends. | Photo by Joe Caione
Kuri – Dog
Ngeru – Cat
Hoiho – Horse
Kau – Cow
Hipi – Sheep
Poaka – Pig
Rāpeti – Rabbit
Kiore – Rat
Example Sentences
He kuri pai tēnei. – This is a good dog.
Kei te moe te ngeru. – The cat is sleeping.
Kei te oma te hoiho i te pāmu. – The horse is running on the farm.
He kau nui kei te pāmu. – There is a big cow at the farm.
He mā ngā huruhuru o te hipi. – The sheep’s wool is white.
Kei te kai te poaka i te kai. – The pig is eating food.
He tere te rāpeti. – The rabbit is fast.
I kite ahau i tētahi kiore i roto i te whare. – I saw a rat inside the house.
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Māori View of Animals and the Natural World
In Māori culture, animals (ngā kararehe) are seen as part of a shared whakapapa (genealogy) that connects humans, nature, and the spiritual world. Many creatures, such as tūī, kiwi, and tuna (eel), are regarded as kaitiaki, or guardians, that embody wisdom or warning. Understanding these animal names in te reo Māori helps learners connect with the deeper cultural and environmental values of Aotearoa.
Birds
Once you've mastered land animals, you can look up. Māori has lots of wonderful words for birds. Here are some to get you started.
Birds more your thing? You can talk about them with this vocab. | Photo by Boris Smokrovic
Manu – Bird
Kiwi – Kiwi
Kererū – Wood pigeon
Pīwakawaka – Fantail
Tūī – Tui (songbird)
Kāhu – Hawk
Toroa – Albatross
Pāpango – Black duck
Example Sentences
He manu rere i te rangi. – A bird is flying in the sky.
Kāore te kiwi e rere. – The kiwi does not fly.
He tere te pīwakawaka ki te rere. – The fantail flies quickly.
Kei te waiata te tūī i te ata. – The tui is singing in the morning.
Kei te rere te kāhu i runga ake i te awa. – The hawk is flying above the river.
He roa ngā parirau o te toroa. – The albatross has long wings.
He pāpango kei te roto. – There is a black duck on the lake.
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Native Animals of Aotearoa
New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most unique species. Native animals like the kiwi, kākāpō, kererū, and tuatara evolved without land mammals for millions of years. Many of their Māori names come from the sounds they make: tūī mimics speech, ruru imitates its haunting call. These names capture both the soundscape and spirit of the land.
Sea and Water Animals
The ocean is integral to Māori culture. It gives life, and it was how the first people arrived in Aotearoa. Learn the vocabulary for these sea creatures.
Dolphins aren't fish, but it would be weird to put them in with land animals. | Photo by Fabrizio Frigeni
Ika – Fish
Tōhora – Whale
Aihe – Dolphin
Mangō – Shark
Pāua – Abalone
Kōura – Crayfish
Pipi – Mussel / Shellfish
Tuna – Eel
Example Sentences
Kei te kauhoe ngā ika i te moana. – The fish are swimming in the sea.
He nui te tōhora i te moana. – The whale is large in the ocean.
Kei te tākaro ngā aihe i te wai. – The dolphins are playing in the water.
Kei te kaukau te mangō i te taha o te motu. – The shark swims near the island.
He ātaahua te anga pāua. – The pāua shell is beautiful.
Kei raro te kōura i te toka. – The crayfish is under the rock.
Kei te kohi pipi te whānau. – The family is collecting mussels.
He roa te tuna i te awa. – The eel is long in the river.
Insects and Small Creatures
Some people love them, and some people hate them. Whatever your opinion of bugs, it's helpful to be able to talk about them in your new language. Here are some common creepy-crawlies and other small creatures in Māori.
Pēpeke – Grasshopper
Namu – Sandfly / Mosquito
Pūrerehua – Butterfly
Wētā – Wētā (native insect)
Pungawerewere – Spider
Noke – Worm
Hūmārire – Bee
Example Sentences
He pēpeke i runga i te rau. – A grasshopper is on the leaf.
He nui ngā namu i te ngahere. – There are many mosquitoes in the forest.
He ātaahua te pūrerehua. – The butterfly is beautiful.
Kei te rākau te wētā. – The wētā is on the tree.
Kei te hanga kupenga te pungawerewere. – The spider is making a web.
Kei te oneone te noke. – The worm is in the soil.
Kei te mahi honi te hūmārire. – The bee is making honey.
There are more than
4,000
native animal species in Aotearoa, many with Māori names that describe their sounds, habits, or habitats.
Pronunciation and Grammar Notes
Just learning these animal words isn't enough to use them as effectively as possible, you can combine them with other vocabulary like the words for body parts or adjectives. Additionally, you have to understand grammar and pronunciation to really get the most out of your new language knowledge. Here are our tips.
Pronounce Every Vowel Clearly: Animal names in te reo Māori are rhythmic and musical. Words like kererū, tūī, and pīwakawaka each have distinct syllables. Don’t blur them together. Say them slowly at first: ke-re-rū, tū-ī, pī-wa-ka-wa-ka.
Macrons Change Animal Meanings: A macron can completely change a word. Kākā means “parrot,” while kaka means something entirely different. Hold macron vowels longer — tōhora (whale) sounds like “toh-haw-rah,” not “toh-ra.”
The “Wh” Breath in Animal Names: Many animal names begin with “wh,” like whai (stingray) or whio (blue duck). This is pronounced softly, like an “f,” so whai sounds like “fai.” Imagine letting out a gentle breath as you speak.
Rolling the “R” in Bird Names: Bird names often feature rolled “r” sounds: kererū, toroa, pīwakawaka. Let your tongue tap lightly against the roof of your mouth. It gives each word its signature rhythm and sound.
Stress the First Beat: Animals in Māori are usually said with emphasis on the first syllable: KUri, NGeru, MĀnU. Keeping this rhythm makes pronunciation more natural and fluent when describing animals aloud.
Describing Animals by Colour or Size: In Māori, adjectives follow the noun. So you’d say He kuri pango (a black dog), not “a black kuri.” The same applies to all descriptions: He manu nui (a big bird), He ika roa (a long fish).
Plural Animal Names: Animals don’t change form for plurals — use ngā for “the” or he maha for “many.” For example: Ngā kuri (the dogs), He maha ngā manu (many birds). The structure stays simple and consistent.
Using “He” and “Te” with Animals: He introduces a general or new animal (“a dog”), while Te refers to something specific (“the dog”). For example: He poaka nui (a big pig); Te poaka nui (the big pig).
Describing What Animals Are Doing: To describe animal actions, use kei te + verb. Kei te rere te manu – The bird is flying. Kei te kai te poaka – The pig is eating. It’s a simple structure used in everyday Māori.
Talking About Where Animals Are: Use kei to describe an animal’s location: Kei te moana te tohora – The whale is in the ocean. Kei runga te kererū i te rākau – The pigeon is on the tree. Kei te pāmu ngā kau – The cows are on the farm.
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Learning Animal Words in Te Reo Māori
When learning te reo Māori, mastering animal vocabulary (ngā kararehe o Aotearoa) gives you both linguistic and cultural insight. You’ll notice patterns in how Māori describes living things — often through onomatopoeia, repetition, or metaphor. For example, whale (tohorā) evokes strength and journey, while piwakawaka (fantail) suggests agility and joy.
Fun Ways to Learn Animal Vocabulary
You'll learn these new words more effectively if you can find fun ways to study. Game and fun activities aren't just for kids; adults learn more quickly with engaging learning approaches, whether they're learning animal vocabulary or how to tell the time in Māori. Try some of these.
Find fun ways to learn your new vocabulary. | Photo by Manja Vitolic
Sing Māori Animal Songs: Music is one of the easiest ways to remember new kupu (words). Try children’s songs like Ngā Kararehe o Aotearoa or other waiata reo Māori that repeat animal names. Singing reinforces rhythm, pronunciation, and memory.
Match the Word to the Animal: Use flashcards or printable resources that show the kararehe (animal) on one side and the Māori word on the other. Testing yourself visually helps link image and meaning — kuri becomes “dog” instantly in your mind.
Create Sentences About Your Pets: Write or say short rerenga kōrero (sentences) using animal words about your own pets or favourite animals. For example: He ngeru pango tōku – “I have a black cat.” Personal examples make vocabulary stick faster.
Play “Guess the Animal” in Te Reo: With friends or classmates, describe an animal in Māori and have others guess it. For example: He roa ōna taringa, he tere ia (It has long ears, it’s fast) — rāpeti! It’s a fun, active way to practise speaking and listening.
Label Your Environment: Stick small notes around your home or classroom: kuri on the dog’s bed, rūma moe on the bedroom, hoiho on a toy horse. This immersive approach surrounds you with living vocabulary every day.
Watch Māori Nature Videos: Short videos or documentaries about ngā kararehe o Aotearoa (the animals of New Zealand) are great language tools. Hearing native speakers say animal names in natural contexts improves comprehension and accent.
Use Online Language Games: Interactive reo Māori learning sites and apps often include matching or listening games for animal words. They make practice playful. Repetition through games builds long-term recall.
Draw and Colour the Animals: For visual learners, sketching or colouring animals while labelling them in Māori — kākā, toroa, tuna — reinforces meaning through creativity. It’s especially effective for children or beginner learners.
Join a Whānau Learning Group: Learning together keeps motivation high. Join a whānau reo (language family group) or online reo Māori class where you can share examples, practise pronunciation, and test your knowledge through conversation.
Use Everyday Experiences as Practice: When you’re outside, name the animals you see in Māori — manu for birds, ika for fish, poaka for pigs. Turning daily moments into mini lessons helps move animal vocabulary from study to instinct.
Māori Word
English Translation
Category
Example Sentence (Māori)
Example Sentence (English)
Kuri
Dog
Land
He kuri pai tēnei.
This is a good dog.
Ngeru
Cat
Land
Kei te moe te ngeru.
The cat is sleeping.
Hoiho
Horse
Land
Kei te oma te hoiho i te pāmu.
The horse is running on the farm.
Kau
Cow
Land
He kau nui kei te pāmu.
There is a big cow at the farm.
Hipi
Sheep
Land
He mā ngā huruhuru o te hipi.
The sheep’s wool is white.
Poaka
Pig
Land
Kei te kai te poaka i te kai.
The pig is eating food.
Rāpeti
Rabbit
Land
He tere te rāpeti.
The rabbit is fast.
Kiore
Rat
Land
I kite ahau i tētahi kiore i roto i te whare.
I saw a rat inside the house.
Manu
Bird
Birds
He manu rere i te rangi.
A bird is flying in the sky.
Kiwi
Kiwi (bird)
Birds
Kāore te kiwi e rere.
The kiwi does not fly.
Kererū
Wood pigeon
Birds
Kei runga te kererū i te rākau.
The wood pigeon is up in the tree.
Pīwakawaka
Fantail
Birds
He tere te pīwakawaka ki te rere.
The fantail flies quickly.
Tūī
Tui
Birds
Kei te waiata te tūī i te ata.
The tui is singing in the morning.
Kāhu
Hawk
Birds
Kei te rere te kāhu i runga ake i te awa.
The hawk is flying above the river.
Toroa
Albatross
Birds
He roa ngā parirau o te toroa.
The albatross has long wings.
Pāpango
New Zealand scaup (black duck)
Birds
He pāpango kei te roto.
There is a black duck on the lake.
Ika
Fish
Sea/Water
Kei te kauhoe ngā ika i te moana.
The fish are swimming in the sea.
Tōhora
Whale
Sea/Water
He nui te tōhora i te moana.
The whale is large in the ocean.
Aihe
Dolphin
Sea/Water
Kei te tākaro ngā aihe i te wai.
The dolphins are playing in the water.
Mangō
Shark
Sea/Water
Kei te kaukau te mangō i te taha o te motu.
The shark swims near the island.
Pāua
Abalone
Sea/Water
He ātaahua te anga pāua.
The pāua shell is beautiful.
Kōura
Crayfish
Sea/Water
Kei raro te kōura i te toka.
The crayfish is under the rock.
Pipi
Pipi (clam)
Sea/Water
Kei te kohi pipi te whānau.
The family is collecting pipi clams.
Tuna
Eel
Sea/Water
He roa te tuna i te awa.
The eel is long in the river.
Pēpeke
Grasshopper
Insects/Small
He pēpeke i runga i te rau.
A grasshopper is on the leaf.
Namu
Sandfly / Mosquito
Insects/Small
He nui ngā namu i te ngahere.
There are many mosquitoes in the forest.
Pūrerehua
Butterfly
Insects/Small
He ātaahua te pūrerehua.
The butterfly is beautiful.
Wētā
Wētā
Insects/Small
Kei te rākau te wētā.
The wētā is on the tree.
Pungawerewere
Spider
Insects/Small
Kei te hanga kupenga te pungawerewere.
The spider is making a web.
Noke
Worm
Insects/Small
Kei te oneone te noke.
The worm is in the soil.
Pī
Bee
Insects/Small
Kei te mahi honi te pī.
The bee is making honey.
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Joseph P
Joseph is a French and Spanish to English translator, copywriter, and all-round language enthusiast.
Some of the most frequently used animal words in Māori include kuri (dog), ngeru (cat), hoiho (horse), kiwi (kiwi bird), and ika (fish). These are everyday vocabulary items in te reo Māori and form the base for describing animals in conversation.
✅ Why is learning Māori animal vocabulary important?
Learning Māori animal words helps you understand more than just names; it connects you with Māori culture, the environment, and ways of describing the natural world.
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