My language is my awakening, my language is the window to my soul.
Māori proverb
The Māori language has several useful sayings, proverbs, and lines that offer guidance that you can use. Here, we'll examine the various types and their functions. Then, we'll show you some to get you started. Enjoy!
| Maori Proverb | English Gloss | Theme | Suggested Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei | Seek the treasure you value most dearly; if you bow, let it be to a lofty mountain. | Growth / Aspiration | Clarify your top goal and take one task that serves it first. |
| Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua | I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past. | Reflection / Learning | Capture one lesson and apply it this week. |
| Whaowhia te kete mātauranga | Fill the basket of knowledge. | Learning / Skill-building | Schedule a 10-minute learning session; record the takeaway. |
| Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi | With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive. | Collaboration / Community | List each person’s contribution and the shared outcome. |
| He waka eke noa | We are all in the same canoe (no one is left behind). | Shared Enterprise / Togetherness | Agree on one goal, shared risk, and shared credit. |
| Ko koe ki tēnā, ko ahau ki tēnei kīwai o te kete | You take that handle of the basket, I’ll take this one. | Roles / Partnership | Name the two handles of the task and who holds each. |
| He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai | If love is sown, then love you shall receive. | Love / Relationships | Start and end the day with one small act of aroha. |
| He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata | What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, people, people. | People First / Community | Prioritise time for people—birthdays, care, shared meals. |
| Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu | Although small, it is precious. | Value of Small Things | Celebrate micro-wins as precious (pounamu). |
| Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui | Be strong, be brave, be steadfast. | Courage / Fortitude | Breathe once for each virtue, then act. |
| He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka | A choppy sea can be navigated by the canoe. | Resilience / Adversity | Switch to 'storm mode' so the team rows together. |
| E kore au e ngaro; he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea | I will not be lost; I am a seed sown from Rangiātea. | Identity / Roots | Anchor decisions in whakapapa when times are tough. |
What Is a Whakataukī? And How It Differs From Whakatauākī and Pepeha
A whakataukī (traditional proverb) is a short, memorable saying in te reo Māori (the Māori language). It can include guidance about conduct, relationships, and the natural world. They are usually of unknown authorship and delivered in whaikōrero (formal speech) on the marae (meeting place) as well as in everyday life.
A whakataukī is a traditional Māori proverb of unknown authorship. They’re memorable sayings that carry guidance from ancestors into everyday life.
A whakatauākī (attributed saying) looks and sounds like a proverb, but it is linked to a known speaker, iwi (tribe), or hapū (sub-tribe). These are more like quotes or teachings, so it's always good practice to name the source if known.
A pepeha (identity statement) isn't a proverb. It's a set of lines that places a person in relation to their maunga (mountain), awa (river), ancestors, and community. It is the answer to “who am I and where am I from?”.
Why Whakataukī Matter in Te Ao Māori: Nature, Community, Action
In te ao Māori (the Māori world), proverbs serve as a compact way to convey values from elders into everyday life. Whakataukī bind people to the taiao (natural world) and to one another, which is why guidance about conduct is framed through relationships with both place and community. As they're rhythmic and full of imagery, they're easy to remember in whaikōrero (formal speech), classrooms, and meetings. From there, they can be applied to real decisions.
and whakataukī have carried their wisdom forward ever since.
Whakataukī ask for action. They offer insight so that families, whānau (extended family), teams, and communities can act together. They can move words into practice. Just make sure you say them accurately in te reo Māori (the Māori language).
How to Say Them Well: Macrons, Rhythm, First-Use Translations
It helps to familiarise yourself with how to read and say whakataukī and whakatauākī. Here are a few tips to help you. If in doubt, remember to always consult an authority.
In te reo Māori, macrons (tohu tohutō) lengthen vowels and can completely change meaning. Always include them in written whakataukī.
Macrons (tohu tohutō) matter
Vowel-first, steady rhythm
Group delivery flow (60–90 seconds)
- One reader speaks the Māori line once, slowly, with macrons visible.
- All repeat together (choral read).
- A second person gives a one-sentence English gloss.
- A third person names one action the line calls for today.
- Rotate roles so different tāngata (people) practise speaking.
Do / Don’t
Whakataukī for Growth
These proverbs can help you set direction and build momentum. You can outline your goal, learn from your past, and add to a basket of knowledge. Each of these proverbs is useful because it pairs understandable imagery with practical next steps and guidance.
speak te reo Māori in New Zealand today, keeping whakataukī alive in schools, workplaces, and marae.
Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei
Seek the treasure you value most dearly; if you bow, let it be to a lofty mountain.
Use it when priorities blur: name your iti kahurangi (cherished goal) and do the one task that serves it first.
Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua
I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past.
Use it for reviews: capture one lesson, add it to your kete (basket) of notes, and apply it this week.
Whaowhia te kete mātauranga
Fill the basket of knowledge.
Use it for skill-building: schedule a 10-minute learning session and record the takeaway in the team's kete (basket).
Whakataukī for Working Together
These sayings emphasise the importance of collaboration and working together. Images include canoes, handles, baskets, and food baskets to sustain the tribe. These are useful for launching projects, pairing roles, and agreeing on simple norms to genuinely share credit, risk, and decision-making.
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi
With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.
Use it to launch collaborations: list each person’s rourou (food basket/contribution) and the shared outcome for the iwi (tribe/community).
He waka eke noa
We are all in the same canoe (no one is left behind).
Use it for cross-team work: agree “same-waka (canoe)” rules—one goal, shared risk, shared credit.
Ko koe ki tēnā, ko ahau ki tēnei kīwai o te kete
You take that handle of the basket, I’ll take this one.
Use it to pair roles: name the two kīwai (handles) for each task and who holds each so the kete (basket) actually lifts.
Whakataukī for Love and Family
These are sayings that help keep people together. They're about prioritising people over tasks, treasuring small efforts, and making care visible in your routines. From mealtimes and check-ins to how you honour unseen work at home and school, these should help.
He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai
If love is sown, then love you shall receive.
Use it for daily culture: one small act of aroha (love/compassion) at the start and end of the day.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, people, people.
Use it for calendars and choices: put tangata (people) time first—birthdays, care, shared meals.
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu
Although small, it is precious.
Use it to celebrate micro-wins: treat tiny efforts as pounamu (greenstone) - precious in the whānau (extended family).
Whakataukī for Strength and Courage and When to Use It
These sayings are for when times are tough. They're helpful for resetting when you have to face stormy times. Here are a few sayings for strength and courage.
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui
Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.
Use it as a reset: breathe once for kaha (strength), once for māia (courage), once for manawanui (steadfastness), then act.
He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka
A choppy sea can be navigated by the canoe.
Use it in pressure spikes: switch to “storm mode” so the waka (canoe) rows together.
E kore au e ngaro; he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea
I will not be lost; I am a seed sown from Rangiātea.
Use it for identity and grief: anchor yourself in kākano (seed/roots) and whakapapa (genealogy) when the wind rises.
Here are more whakataukī, complete with pronunciation and translations.
Choose the Right Proverb in 5 Steps
Choosing the right proverb isn't about picking favourites. You must select the right whakataukī to match the moment, audience, and kaupapa (purpose). Here are five steps you can follow to choose the right one while respecting customs. If you have any doubts, look for guidance from mana whenua (local tribal authority/people of the land) and check the status (whakataukī vs whakatauākī).
Whakataukī are anonymous proverbs. Whakatauākī look similar but are credited to a known person, iwi, or hapū, so you should name the source.
1. Name the moment and kaupapa (purpose)
What’s happening, who’s present, and what feeling or action do you want to spark? Write one plain-language sentence you can say aloud.
2. Match intent to a theme
3. Check tikanga (customs) and setting.
Are you on a marae (a meeting place) or in a public setting? Seek guidance from mana whenua (local tribal authority/people of the land), and follow local practice, especially for welcomes, farewells, or whaikōrero (formal speech).
4. Verify wording and status.
Is it a whakataukī (traditional proverb) or a whakatauākī (attributed saying)? Keep kupu (words) intact with correct macrons; add one clear English gloss. Use trusted references and refrain from altering the Māori reo (language) to fit branding.
5. Deliver with follow-through.
Say the Māori line slowly, give the one-sentence gloss, and name a single action it calls for (who does what, by when). Credit sources, if known, and then review later: did the proverb change a decision, behaviour, or outcome?
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