Despite the relatively low number of fluent Māori speakers, which stands at around 4% of New Zealand's population, the Māori language (or te reo) holds a significant cultural presence in New Zealand. It is woven into the fabric of the country through names, greetings, and phrases, underscoring its enduring cultural importance. Here, we'll examine the Māori language, its pronunciation, and some everyday expressions to help you get started.
| Māori Expression | English Translation | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
| Kia ora | Hello / Thank you / Cheers | Informal hello, thank you, or agreement |
| Kia ora koutou | Hello everyone | Greeting multiple people |
| Tēnā koe | Formal hello (to one person) | Formal, respectful greeting |
| Tēnā kōrua | Formal hello (to two people) | Slightly more formal; used for two people |
| Tēnā koutou | Formal hello (to three or more) | Respectful greeting to a group |
| Nau mai, haere mai | Welcome | Welcoming someone warmly |
| Kei te pēhea koe? | How are you? | Casual way to ask how someone is |
| Kei te pai | I’m good / I’m well | Common response to 'How are you?' |
| Tino pai | I’m very good | Stronger expression of feeling good |
| Ka kite anō | See you later | Friendly goodbye |
| Haere rā | Goodbye (when someone else leaves) | Used when farewelling someone |
| Hei konā rā | Goodbye (when you are leaving) | Used when you’re the one leaving |
Māori Language, Culture, and Identity in Aotearoa
Before you start learning any language, it's helpful to have some knowledge about it. Before you study Māori grammar and vocabulary, you should be aware of the impact of Māori in New Zealand or Aotearoa, which uses the Māori name. While the percentage of Māori speakers in New Zealand may seem relatively low, the impact of famous Māori people and Māori culture makes the language an essential part of the fabric of New Zealand.
in 2023, up from 185,955 in 2023.
After all, languages and cultures are inseparable. The greeting "kia ora" is more than just "hello". The expression means "give life" and is much more meaningful than simply using "hi" in English. The expression can also be used like how English uses "cheers".
Good Morning
Ata mārie
"Peaceful morning"
Good Evening
Ahiahi mārie
"Good evening" / "Peaceful afternoon"
The cultural value of the Māori language and the importance of Māori culture should be acknowledged. The Māori language is not just a means of communication; it is a repository of Māori knowledge, traditions, and identity.
Although it isn't a language with the most significant number of speakers, the efforts made to revive it and increase the number of speakers in New Zealand and around the world have been impressive. Understanding and respecting the Māori language is a crucial step towards appreciating and preserving Māori culture.
Get started with some Māori greetings.
How to Pronounce Māori
So, what exactly does Māori sound like? Although you won't likely master the pronunciation when you first start learning te reo, it helps to know what you're aiming for before you start. Suppose you've ever read or seen any Māori words. In that case, your first impression might be that Māori vocabulary includes many long words. Even the word Aotearoa is 8 letters long and contains 6 vowels!
However, while the word is undoubtedly long, it is worth noting that these words are often compounds of several other te reo words. Aotearoa, for example, is made of three different words:
- Ao – Cloud
- Tea – White
- Roa – Long
Breaking down a word into its component parts cannot only make it easier to remember but also add semantic meaning.
Understanding the pronunciation of Māori words will help you understand them better when listening to te reo, but it'll also help you pronounce words correctly and make yourself better understood when you attempt to speak the language.
Vowels in Māori
Please note that all pronunciation guides provided here are approximate. After all, we're comparing Māori vowels to English vowels, which can differ depending on a person's accent. This guide is meant to help you remember the pronunciations. However, the best way to learn them is by listening to them being spoken by a native Māori speaker.
The vowels in Māori are as follows:
Short Vowels in Māori
- A – As in “aloud”
- E – As in “entry”
- I – As in “eat”
- O – As in “ordinary”
- U – As in “to”
Long Vowels in Māori
- A – As in “car”
- E – As in “led”
- I – As in “peep”
- O – As in “pork”
- U – As in “loot”
Practise Māori vowels with this video.
Consonants in Māori
Remember, the pronunciations provided here are approximate. To truly grasp the nuances of te reo, it's essential to listen to native Māori speakers. This active engagement will enhance your understanding and demonstrate your commitment to learning the language.
The 8 vowels in Māori are pronounced similarly to English. After all, the Latin alphabet used for the Māori language is the same as the one used for English, so the letters chosen for the vowels and consonants in Māori were specifically picked based on their closest English approximation.
Suppose French had been the predominant European language spoken in New Zealand. In that case, the letters used for the Māori alphabet might have been different. These are the consonants used in te reo, which are all approximately pronounced as they are in English.
- H
- K
- P
- T
- M
- N
- R
- W
The "T" and "R" are the two consonants that differ the most from English. The "t" sound depends on the vowel that follows it. With an "a", "e", or "o" sound, it sounds closer to a "d" in English. When followed by "i" or "u", it sounds more like a "t" in English. The “R” in Māori is also slightly rolled.
You should also be aware that there are two digraphs in Māori (when two letters are combined to make a single sound). These are:
- WH
- NG
The "WH" digraph either sounds like the "wh" in the English word "whisper" or like an "f" in several Māori dialects. The “NG” sounds a bit like the “ng” in the English word “singer”.
WH and NG are two unique sounds in te reo Māori that often trip up new learners, but with a bit of practice, they’re easy to master.
WH: In many regions, this sounds like an “f” (e.g., whānau sounds like “fah-nau”), but in other dialects it’s pronounced more like the “wh” in “whale.”
NG: Found in words like ngā mihi or Ngāti, it sounds like the “ng” in “singer,” even when at the beginning of a word. It may feel strange at first; start slowly and build your confidence.
Listen to native speakers online and repeat what you hear. Consistent practice will make these sounds second nature.
Common Māori Greetings and When to Use Them
Now that you know how Māori should be pronounced, let's learn some Māori greetings. Don't worry too much about perfecting your pronunciation when you first start; just keep practising and listening to examples to refine your pronunciation. In Māori or any language, most speakers of the language are already happy to see people making an effort to speak their language.
We already mentioned that "kia ora" means "be healthy" or "have life". While you wouldn't probably say something like this in English to greet somebody, you can use "kia ora" when you'd probably say "hello" in English. Suppose you're addressing a group of people at once. In that case, you can also add "tatou" and say "kia ora tatou", which has the same effect as "hello, everyone". As always, speak with a native Māori speaker or listen to examples to better understand the pronunciation.
Welcome
Hello, or an equivalent expression, is useful in any language. Still, it's also nice to welcome people in their own language to make them feel at home. Of course, the notion of "home" can be contentious in certain contexts, so brush up on Māori history to better contextualise everything.
The Māori expression for welcome is "nau mai, haere mai", and it can be used in precisely the same way as "welcome" in English. You don't always need to use the full version; you can simply say "nau mai" or "haere mai" to welcome people. You can use "nau mai" to welcome someone into a space (like a home or a classroom) and "haere mai" to invite someone closer to you. In events like pōwhiri, you'll likely hear them both together.
Māori expressions aren’t just for formal occasions, they're part of everyday life. Start using simple greetings and phrases in these everyday settings:
Work Emails: Begin with “Kia ora”, and close with “Ngā mihi” or “Ngā mihi nui”.
Shops and Cafés: Say “Kia ora” to greet staff or “tēnā koe” when thanking someone directly.
At Home: Use “Ata mārie” in the morning and ask “Kei te pēhea koe?” to check in with whānau.
How Are You?
Once you've said "hello" to somebody and welcomed them, asking them how they are is always kind. In te reo Māori, this expression is a little trickier than some of the others that we've seen so far:
- “kei te pēhea koe?”
The typical response to this is “kei te pai”. However, if you really want to express that you're in an excellent mood, you can also say something like "tino pai", which means that you're really good, rather than simply saying "kei te pai".
To help you remember the expressions, ensure you use them regularly. Otherwise, you may fall into the trap of using the expressions without thinking. This often occurs with language students, especially those taught in schools. They'll be taught a typical expression for "hello" and "how are you" and always answer "fine" without ever thinking about what it really means.
Try personalising your replies as you advance. For example, say “kei te ngenge” (I’m tired), “kei te māuiui” (I’m sick), or “kei te harikoa” (I’m happy). By genuinely thinking about what you're saying and answering the question, you'll avoid talking te reo Māori like a parrot!
Meaning “acknowledgements” or “greetings,” ngā mihi is commonly used to express thanks or respect at the end of speeches, letters, and emails. You may also see it combined, e.g. Ngā mihi nui (“many thanks”).
Goodbye
It mightn't be the most riveting conversation you'll ever have, but knowing how to say "goodbye" in te reo Māori means you've effectively had a whole conversation. You can greet and welcome somebody, ask how they are, and bid them farewell.
In Māori, an expression that you can use is “ka kite ano”. The equivalent in English would be “see you later”, which is nice as it indicates that you'd like to see them again. You can also use “haere ra”, which more closely translates to “goodbye”.
An alternative to “haere ra” is “hei konei ra”, which is another way of saying “goodbye” when you're the one leaving. Use "haere ra" if somebody else leaves and "hei konei ra" if you're going.
Here's a summary of all the terms and expressions from the article.
| English Phrase | Māori Expression |
|---|---|
| Cloud | Ao |
| Goodbye | Haere ra |
| Goodbye (when leaving) | Hei konei ra |
| Good | Kei te pai |
| Hello (Be healthy/have life) | Kia ora |
| Hello everyone | Kia ora tatou |
| Hello to everyone | Tena koutou |
| Hello to you | Tena keo |
| How are you? | Kei te pēhea koe? |
| New Zealand (Land of the long white cloud) | Aotearoa |
| Really good | Tino pai |
| See you later | Ka kite ano |
| Welcome | Nau mai, haere mai |
| Welcome | Nau mai |
| Welcome | Haere mai |
| White | Tea |
| Long | Roa |
Learning Māori with Classes, Tutors, and Daily Practice
If you want to learn more about Māori, it's a good idea to enrol in a language school or university to study the language, work directly with a private Māori tutor, or even attend Māori festivals and events. On the Superprof website, for example, you can search for private Māori tutors.
in 2021, up from 24% in 2018.
From there, you can compare their profiles, see how much they charge, and read the reviews left by their other students. Many offer the first session for free, so try a few before choosing the one that is right for you and what you want to learn. Just search “Māori” on the Superprof website today!
Learning these Māori greetings isn't just about learning a language; they're a way to connect with culture, identity, and community across New Zealand. With just a few words, you're showing respect, starting a conversation, and meaningfully engaging with people. Start small, keep listening, and use te reo Māori when and where you can!
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