Te Reo Māori

Learn Māori vocabulary and simple phrases to do with sporting activities.

Waka Ama

Rīki/League | Whutupōro/Rugby

Netipōro

• Learn simple words to begin with – ones that you can incorporate into your everyday life. Use these often, every day if you like, so you can remember them easily. Examples could include greetings such as Ata mārie – Good morning, or food and drink such as miraka – milk. “Ata mārie, would you like some miraka in your kawhe?”.

• Take a Te Reo Māori class. Sign up for Tākina an online, accelerated te reo learning program, developed by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei te reo practitioner Rōpata Pāora. Over 70 whānau are already signed up on the online program, we also have 50 others attending classes each week. For more information contact cjhawke@nwo.iwi.nz All of these programs are free for whānau members.

• Create a zone within your whare or office (tari) that is specifically for the use of Te Reo Māori. You might choose the kitchen as a space in your house that you only speak Te Reo Māori. As you progress and it starts to become a little easier you can expand the zone to another area of your whare. It’s all about creating positive areas that promote the use of Te Reo Māori.

• Use posters or stickers in the zone to label furniture or items e.g. the fridge, the sugar jar, etc. You could also write common sentences that can be used in the zone to help everyone. These can be found in our He Rauemi Reo mō te Kainga resource or the Te Taura Whiri I te Reo Māori website  https://tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/rauemi-a-ipurangi/

• Find a friend! Although this may seem obvious, one of the most effective ways to learn Te Reo Māori is by speaking it with others. It’s difficult learning to speak a new language when you are on your own – so find others who are on the same waka (journey) as you, so you can support each other. After all, you’re likely to be more motivated when you do it with a friend and will have more fun.

• Be prepared to make mistakes along the way. When learning a new language, you should expect a lot of failed attempts, mix-ups and mistakes but don’t worry! Mistakes are often the best way to learn, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Make sure you find out where you went wrong and try your best to improve in that area. Don’t give up in frustration. Kia kaha e hoa mā.

• Get your whānau involved. For our parents out there, sending your tamariki to Kohanga Reo or Puna Reo, doesn’t only benefit the child, but you as well! Get involved with your child, learn with them and make it a family affair. You’ll find that your tamariki are less likely to make fun of you when you make mistakes too!

• Change the channel to Māori Television (19). Māori TV is a great resource to use when you’re trying to learn Te Reo Māori as it is bi-lingual and an easy way to hear the language being spoken in your whare. There are a great number of interactive learning shows such as Opaki, Monday to Friday at 2:00 – 2:30 p.m and of course your daily Te Ao Māori news at 6.30pm every day. This is also a great resource for those who don’t have a lot of people to converse with. You can also access these from http://www.maoritelevision.com and https://www.maoritelevision.com/shows/korero-mai

• If you’re feeling confident or wanting to take your Te Reo Māori speaking skills up a notch, tune into Te Reo (82). This channel is completely in Te Reo Māori and has a variety of great shows including Ako. Airing weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Ako is a Māori Language Class for intermediate level learners presented by Pania Papa. The online link is https://www.maoritelevision.com/shows/ako

• Take a notepad and pen with you to local hui or events taking place at the Marae, or while watching Māori TV. Write down any new or unfamiliar kupu you hear and then research the meaning behind these kupu. Once you have a few pages of kupu, you can use your notepad as a reference or personal dictionary to help you on your reo journey. You can also use your phone to keep notes, but it’s best not to do this during a pōwhiri .

• Attend a Kura Reo or Wānanga Reo near you. These are interactive live-ins that can last for up to 7 days where you are completely immersed in Te Reo Māori. There are usually different Te Reo Māori speaking capability groups that range from brand new speakers to experts in the reo so you’re bound to find others who are also at your level. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei have grants for our descendants to attend Kura Reo, so refer to our website, or email Clay Hawke cjhawke@nwo.iwi.nz if you are interested.

• Learn Waiata and Karakia. Before the arrival of Pākeha to Aotearoa, Māori stories, customs and knowledge were maintained orally which is why waiata and karakia are so important. They are easy ways to remember kōrero and pakiwaitara and can come in handy when you’re at a pōwhiri or whakatau.

• Learn your tribal pepeha. A huge part of Te Āo Māori is acknowledging who you are and where you come from. If you can research and learn your pepeha, you create a deeper meaning and relationship with the language. 

• Celebrate the little wins. Every accomplishment, whether it be big or small, is important. Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu – Although small, it is a treasure.

• Find your why. It’s important to acknowledge the reason behind you choosing to learn Te Reo Māori. If you’re strong in your why, you’re less likely to give up when you face challenges and difficulties. It also pays to have a positive attitude! Your thoughts influence your actions.

• Make Te Reo Māori relevant to you. Whether your interests are in music, art, science or books – you can find ways to incorporate the Māori language into your life.

• Listen! There are 20+ Māori Radio stations out there that broadcast in English and Māori. They play Māori artists and music, talk about relevant kaupapa Māori and broadcast events such as Kapahaka and Manu Kōrero competitions. Find your local irirangi Māori here http://www.irirangi.net/iwi-stations.aspx

Tunukai101 – A series of bilingual cooking videos created for Mahuru Māori.

• Useful Te Reo Māori learning websites

Tōku Reo – Te Reo Māori programme forbeginners (Maori Television)

Ako – Te Reo Māori programme for intermediate learners (Māori Television)

• Links to Te Reo Māori dictionaries. 

https://maoridictionary.co.nz/

http://reotupu.co.nz/WSLiveWakareo/ (subscription necesary)

http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WillDict.html

Wānanga Reo booklets for all levels- coming soon.