He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata / Goodwill towards others is a precious treasure
Whakataukī / Māori proverb
You may have seen Ngā Mihi in emails or heard it at the start of speeches or talks. So what exactly does it mean and how can you use it? Here, we'll explore the expression and how to write emails in Māori.
What Does Ngā Mihi Mean?
In English, ngā mihi translates as “acknowledgements” or “greetings”. The word mihi means to greet, acknowledge, or pay respect, and the particle ngā makes it plural (don't forget about numbers in Māori when writing or speaking the language). Think of it as “greetings” or “many thanks” when used in writing. In emails, it is basically a sign of respect, recognition, and courtesy.
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Generally, ngā mihi appears at the end of an email just as you'd use “regards” in an English email. It's also used in speeches and messages as a greeting to the people there: “tēnā koutou, ngā mihi ki a koutou katoa” (greetings, acknowledgements to you all). If you're struggling with these, we recommend learning the Maori pronouns to start building sentences.
However, since it can act as “thank you” and “greetings”, it's a more versatile expression. You can see it in formal letters, workplace emails, and in casual communication. In written Māori, don't forget the spelling, with the macron (the line over the a). While it might be okay in some informal settings to quickly type out nga mihi, it's best practice to write it correctly as ngā mihi in any other situatio,n as you would do with other Māori phrases.
In te reo Māori, a macron is the small line above a vowel that changes how the word is pronounced. For example, nga mihi without the macron is technically different from ngā mihi. The macron lengthens the vowel sound, so ngā is said with a longer “a” than nga. Leaving out the macron might not stop someone from understanding you, but it can change meaning and looks careless in a professional setting. Just as spelling someone’s name wrong in English feels disrespectful, omitting macrons in Māori can give the same impression. That’s why, especially in emails and official communication, it’s best practice to always write ngā mihi with the macron.
Variations: Ngā Mihi Nui and Other Common Sign-Offs
Ngā mihi is a common closing, but there are variations you can use to change the warmth or formality. One of the most popular is ngā mihi nui, which translates as “many thanks” or “with deep acknowledgements”. This makes it somewhat similar to writing “kind regards” or “many thanks” in English. Other common variations include:
Thanks to these variations with the proper Māori syntax, you can adapt your email closing to the person you're writing to. You might use ngā mihi nui to a lecturer but a simple ngā mihi to a friend. Match the tone of your email with the closing. If you use ngā mihi aroha in a business setting, it might be overly familiar. However, a simple ngā mihi at the end of a heartfelt message mightn't be enough.
Using Ngā Mihi in Your Email: Where and When
In an email in te reo Māori, ngā mihi is usually used at the end. However, you can also use it in the greeting at the start of the email. Remember that in Māori email etiquette, you should greet the recipient (te mihi), proceed with the main message, and conclude with another expression of thanks or acknowledgement. You could even include a relevant time stamp like the day of the week, too.
Opening an Email
- Kia ora – friendly and informal, like “hi” or “hello.”
- Tēnā koe – “greetings to you” (singular).
- Tēnā kōrua – “greetings to you two.”
- Tēnā koutou – “greetings to you all.”
Closing an Email
- Ngā mihi – standard and versatile.
- Ngā mihi nui – more emphatic, “many thanks.”
- Nāku noa, nā – “yours sincerely,” a formal closing.
- Hei konā rā – “until then / see you later,” often informal.
Top 5 Sign-Offs in Māori Emails
- Ngā mihi nui – many thanks, kind regards
- Ngā mihi – regards, acknowledgements
- Ngā mihi mahana – warm regards
- Ngā mihi maioha – sincere thanks
- Ngā mihi aroha – with affection, loving regards
One of the most important features of Māori greetings is that they change depending on how many people you are speaking to. If you are emailing a single person, you would write Tēnā koe (“greetings to you”). If the message is for two people, it becomes Tēnā kōrua.
For a group of three or more, you use Tēnā koutou. This distinction shows respect for the recipients and reflects the collective nature of Māori culture. It also explains why a phrase like ngā mihi ki a koutou katoa acknowledges everyone together. Paying attention to whether you use koe, kōrua, or koutou is a small detail that makes your email feel authentic and thoughtful.
Formal vs Informal Māori Email Structures
When writing in te reo Māori, the way you open and close your email will depend on the level of formality. It's important you choose the right one, much like when offering encouragement in the language. Here’s how the differences usually look in practice.
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Formal Email Structure
- Opening: Tēnā koe (to one person) / Tēnā koutou (to three or more)
- Body tone: Polite, respectful, avoids slang or casual phrasing.
Informal Email Structure
- Opening: Kia ora (hi, hello)
- Body tone: Friendly, relaxed, may mix Māori and English casually
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Ngā Mihi
While using ngā mihi is simple enough, there are a few mistakes that learners and fluent speakers even make. By avoiding these, your message will be more respectful and polished. Make a note of them as certain mistakes can even ruin something as simple as wishing somebody a happy birthday in te reo Māori.
1.
Forgetting the macron
Writing nga mihi instead of ngā mihi is one of the most common mistakes. While people might understand it, leaving out macrons can change meaning and shows a lack of care in te reo Māori.
2.
Mixing formality levels
Starting an email with a formal greeting like Tēnā koe but finishing with an overly casual Hei konā rā can feel mismatched. Keep the same tone from start to finish.
3.
Overusing ngā mihi nui
While ngā mihi nui is very popular, using it in every single email can make it lose its impact. Consider alternatives like ngā mihi maioha or nāku noa, nā depending on the context.
4.
Using Māori phrases without context
Dropping in ngā mihi just for effect, without understanding what it means, can feel tokenistic. It’s best to learn the meaning and choose phrases thoughtfully.
5.
Spelling and grammar slips
Mixing up koe, kōrua, and koutou or forgetting to capitalise proper nouns in Māori can make your email less professional. Double-checking spelling shows respect for the language.
Although ngā mihi is often used at the end of emails, it isn’t the only option. Another common sign-off is nāku noa, nā, which is closer in meaning to “yours sincerely.” The difference is subtle but important. Ngā mihi conveys thanks or acknowledgement, whereas nāku noa, nā places more emphasis on the sender, meaning something like “from me.”
In practice, you’ll see ngā mihi more often in everyday or semi-formal emails, while nāku noa, nā tends to appear in formal letters or when extra respect is required. Understanding when to use one over the other helps you match the tone of your closing with the rest of your email.
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Sample Email Templates Using Ngā Mihi
To make the different styles of ngā mihi easier to see in practice, here are two example emails. One is more formal, such as you might send to a lecturer or manager, and the other is more casual, suitable for a colleague or friend.
Formal Email Example
Tēnā koe e Rangi,
Kei te tuhi atu au ki a koe mō te hui ā te Rāpare e tū mai nei. Ka tīmata te hui i te iwa karaka o te ata i te rūma hui nui. He mea nui kia tae mai koe ki te tuku kōrero mō te kaupapa hou.
Ngā mihi nui,
Hana
(Translation: Greetings Rangi, I am writing to you about the meeting coming up on Thursday. It begins at 9am in the main meeting room. It is important you attend to share your thoughts on the new project. Many thanks, Hana.)
Informal Email Example
Kia ora e hoa,
Ka pai te kite i a koe i te rā nei. Mihi ana mō tō āwhina ki te whakatika i taku kōnae. Mēnā kei te wātea koe āpōpō, ka taea tātou te hui i te wharekai mō te tina.
Ngā mihi,
Wiremu
(Translation: Hello friend, it was great to see you today. Thanks for helping me fix my file. If you’re free tomorrow, we can meet in the café for lunch. Regards, Wiremu.)
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