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Click here to view our live COVID-19 Karakia videos on Facebook. 

The following karakia are for your personal use. This list is not meant to be an exhaustive account of karakia as such but merely an introductory guide to it. Some are shortened versions of longer karakia, and others are not very long at all. They should be said with a focussed mind and a stout heart. They can be said aloud, quietly or said in the mind. They can be said by Men or Women.

You may have some of your own karakia that you use on a regular basis. He tino pai tēnā. You are more than welcome to use these karakia should the need arise. They can be shared within your whānau also.

Tohunga tell us that there is a karakia for everything imaginable within Te Ao Māori. Our learned scholars tell us that karakia was a part of everyday life in a traditional Māori community. Although karakia were not an exclusive role of tohunga alone, they were the Masters of It and therefore had a wider range of karakia that were of a higher level. There were simpler or more common karakia that the everyday person would use. This included use by both women and children.

The hope is that they may be useful to you at this time of great uncertainty within our country and our community.

Definition – incantation, ritual chant, charm, spell, a set of words to state or make effective a ritual activity used to ensure a favourable outcome. 

Individual karakia (but not all) tend to follow a pattern:

1st section invokes and designates the atua (who is being called on).
i.e. E Tū e, e Tū e, e Tū e te kauhangatia te tapuwae…

2nd section expresses a loosening of a binding (a mechanism used to unlock a set of knowledge or power).
i.e. Mai ea, mai ea, mai i te tupua, mai i te tawhito, mai i te kāhui o ngā ariki…

3rd section is the action, the ordering of what is required.
i.e. Ō koutou manawa, ki ō mātou manawa, Tane ka irihia…

4th section is a statement of the completion of the action.
i.e. Haumi e, hui e, tāiki e.

Other karakia tend to make statements about the universe, the spirit world, the environment, whare etc and refer to calling on or connecting to an atua. This would require a person to place their spirit and mind within the realm/s of atua.

i.e. Tapatapa tu ki te rangi whakaeaea kau ana…
I stand at the edge of the universe in awe of the galaxy and solar systems.

Tēnei a au, tēnei a au, ko te hōkai nei ki taku tapuwae…
Tis I, tis I, extended, moving swiftly over the realm of Tāne

Whakataka te hau ki te uru, whakataka te hau ki te tonga…
Cease the west winds, cease the southern winds

Te Kawa o Whakatau
Kia manawa mai, kia tatau mai
E Tū te riri, E Tū te nguha
Tū, Tū, tupa rere
Tū, Tū, tupa kokota
Ka kokota ki whea, ka kokota ki raro i aku taha
Ka ngaru a Tū ki te rangi te whakarongona mai ki taku hau tauā
Ti hei mauri ora!

Whakatau Potiki was the father of Rongomai captain of Māhūhū ki te Rangi. On one account he was a Tupua as he was formed out of the māro of his mother Apakura by Rongotakawhiu a sea deity who dwelled in Hawaiki.

This kawa calls on the power and strength of Tūmatauenga to be within the body and mind of Whakatau and his warriors as they went to war.

In a modern-day context this kawa can be used to seek some inspiration to get on with the duties you need to undertake at work, home or within the community.

Tēnei te toa
Tēnei te toa, he toa iti, he iti rori, e ngaro ana ki roto i te matikuku
Tēnei a au e te tupua, kātahi ka tikina ki tērā ki a Whakatau.

Whakatau was said to be small in stature. His favourite past time was flying kites. The peoples of Hawaiki were amazed by his kite flying as they could not see Whakatau who was running across the bottom of the ocean holding on to the lines of his kite.

This kawa calls on the attributes and skills of Whakatau. He was schooled in the knowledge of magic and was a shape shifter. He was also a great warrior. This saying was attributed to him by the peoples of Hawaiki “Kōtahi te whetū e tu ana ki Hawaiki, ko Whakatau anake, ko Whakatau Pōtiki e”. There is but one star that shines in Hawaiki, it is that of Whakatau.

Waerea 
Waerea, waerea, waerea, waerea 
Waerea ki uta, waerea ki tai 
Waerea ki runga, waerea ki raro, waerea ki roto, waerea ki waho 
Tēnei ko Rongo ka eke, tēnei ko Rongo ka tau 
Uhi, wero, tau mai te mauri 
Haumi e, hui e, taiki e 

 A waerea is a spiritual clearing/cleansing of a space or an object. It is also used to lift the tapu from these things and can be said before a pure. 

The waerea is said at the marae when taonga are brought into or taken out of the whare nui including tūpāpaku. 

 The Waerea can be said over a home, car, boat or any other place where it is deemed necessary.  

This Waerea can be adapted to suit any purpose that is in keeping with the tikanga of Waerea. 

Purea nei e te hau 
Horoia e te ua 
Whitiwhitia e te rā 
Mahea ake ngā pōrarurau 
Mākere ana ngā here 

This popular waiata by Hirini Melbourne is a form of Waerea. It calls on the wind, rain and the sun to clear away one’s troubles and break the shackles that bind or hold a person back. It can be said in Waerea form or sung as it normally is. 

Hau mai te hau 
Hau mai te hau, hau mai te hau 
Hau mai te ia o mahara, hau mai te ia o matau 
Hau mai i te ao, hau mai i te pō 
Hau mai i te pou i tu i Hawaki Nui, i Hawaki Roa, i Hawaiki Pāmamao 
Te hono ki wairua, kei te whei ao, ki te ao mārama 
Haumi e, hui e, tāiki e 

This kawa calls on the vitality/esscence of life to be present on a consistent basis. It calls on the ancient knowledge to remain connected to one’s spiritual needs in these modern times. It can be said after a robust hui at the marae, after a hearty wānanga or at the end of a hard day’s work to remember the learnings of the day and to lift one’s energy levels before returning home so that positive energy surrounds you. 

Unuhia 
Unuhia, unuhia,  
unuhia te uru tapu nui  
kia watea kia māmā 
te hinengaro, te ngākau, te tinana, te wairua 
ki runga I te ara takatā 
Koia rā ko Rongo kia whakairia ake ki runga kia tina 
TINA 
Haumi e, hui e, taiki e

 This comes from the 3rd whiti/section of a karakia called Huakirangi (Te Kura Reo). Many kura and other community organisations are using it to close a hui. The intent of this whiti is to instil a sense of tranquillity amongst those present at the hui. It calls on the energy of Rongomaraeroa, atua associated with peace to be present. 

He aha te hau | Te Pūpūtarakihi Volume 1

Kia piri kia tata mai | Te Pūpūtarakihi Volume 1

Tāmaki e ngunguru nei | Te Pūpūtarakihi Volume 1

Ākona | Te Pūpūtarakihi Volume 1

Te Reo Tuawhiti 2020

Check out the Tuawhiti o Te Reo Webinars with Matua Ropata – learn about whakatauki, hītori, te reo tohutohu, kī’tua & more.

Te Reo Tuawhiti 2020 16/4/2020 – Webinar #3 

Te Reo Tuawhiti 2020 9/4/2020 – Webinar #2

Click here to complete the Tuawhiti Challenge 2  (Tuawhiti merch up for grabs!)

Te Reo Tuawhiti 2020 2/4/2020 – Webinar #1

Click here for the Tuawhiti o Te Reo Webinar 1 resource. 

Click here to complete the Tuawhiti Challenge 1  (Tuawhiti merch up for grabs!)

We are happy to announce that we are taking registrations for our Te Reo Tuawhiti 2020 our brand new suite of (hōtaka Reo) Reo initiatives. Click here for more info and to register

Other resources

Whānau Kōrero #Webisode1 #StayHome

Join our tamariki as they share their whānau tips and tricks to get through Covid-19. We have kanikani, katakata, special guest appearances and more, to keep the whole whānau entertained!

Awesome mahi #StayingHome so far e te whānau – working together to keep Aotearoa safe! Are you ready for level two? Our tamariki are back with more whānau tips and tricks on how we can continue to #StaySafe through Covid-19.

Kia mataara – stay alert, it’s not over yet. Mātakitaki Mai!

Whānau Kōrero #Webisode3 #StaySmart

Whānau Kōrero #Webisode4 #StayWell

Nau mai, hoki mai! Welcome back to our final Whānau Kōrero webisode.
Well done e te iwi – with everyone playing their part we can now go about our daily lives in Level 1! HURŌ!

Kia mataara – our whānau hauora is still important. So be sure check out the final tips and tricks from our awesome tamariki on how to #staywell after Covid-19. Big shout outs to the boys Ngapera, Josias & Tavita for keeping us entertained throughout the Whānau Kōrero series.

Whānau Kōrero #Webisode5 #WhānauPlan

Do you have a Whānau Plan? The boys are back with another round of Whānau Kōrero to help you #stayhome and #staysafe. Whether we are in lockdown or not, it is always a good idea to have a plan. Check out what the boys have to share with you today . Kia ū e te whānau – stick to the plan!!

Through the Level Four lockdown, 8 whānau connected over 6 weeks of MANAvation webinars. The goal? To tackle mental well-being head on so that they can confidently be the Rangatira of their own hauora waka!

With kōrero about boil-ups, coping in the chaos, growing our bubbles, ngā piki me ngā heke there was bound to be lots of katakata. Here are the messages our whānau have gained over their awesome time with MANAvation…

 For more on MANAvation click here. 

Facebook Whānau Hub

If you are a Facebook user, please join our online Whānau Hub Facebook Group. It’s an active social media forum where whānau can share what they’re up to, share tips and tricks and find and offer support. Baking, workouts, sewing, you name it. Join the discussion, join the kōrero or come for a haki nohi.

Helpful links for mātua/parents

We know parenting through lockdown had it’s ups and downs. You have all done an awesome job entertaining, challenging each other and learning together over the past 8 weeks. With tamariki returning back to Kura –  now is a good time to pause, reflect and be proud of your enhanced parenting skills.

We aim to awhi you in your parenting journey and have some exciting online programmes coming your way. In the meantime, check out some cool tips from Getting Through Together or the FREE online Parenting through Lockdown Toolbox.

Watch 7 of our NWŌ whānau battle it out to become Whātua’s first ever Kahoot Quarantine Champions. Mātakitaki mai – see if you and your whānau can give it a go too!

Areare mai rā ō koutou taringa! Introducing our first EVER Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei podcast – Boothill Yarns with Joseph Royal!

On #Episode1 special guest, Kelly Morrison joins Joe to kōrero about #LockdownLife, the oldschool radio shoutouts and going to work in your undies LOL 

On #Episode2 Atakura Hunia (MC Atz) joins the podcast to kōrero about what its like to live with the Hunia’s, HP memories & Netflix!

On #Episode3 we get to know the voice behind the mic! The man himself, Joseph Royal talks about POTENTIAL, PEOPLE & PERSEVERANCE… taking a look at the 3 P’s that changed his life.

Hopefully you can take something away from this kōrero to help you in this lockdown phase and beyond 😌

On this week’s Boothill Yarns podcast Joe is joined by not one, but TWO of Aotearoa’s most talented Māori artists 🔥Kerikeri’s finest, Troy Kingi and our very own Whātua whanaunga Majic Paora! 😍 Kick back and chill with the crew as they yarn about music, Netflix, lockdown and Ōtakis top-notch internet fibre 🤣

Enriched with knowledge and history our Cultural and Reo team, Te Kurataiaho Kapea and Ropata Paora join Joseph for Boothill Yarns #Episode5 💯

They share some valuable kōrero around ANZAC Day 2020, our own NWŌ tupuna, haka and Māori Gods – check it out!

Video Updates from Marama Royal:

NWOT update Huaketo Korona

COVID-19 Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Update

Media Release (7/04/2020)

Covid 19 coronavirus: Computers to the door, educational TV planned for lockdown learning, read more here. 

Media Release (1/04/2020)

Chorus ready to support students in households without broadband, read more here. 

Media Release (30/03/2020)

Manaaki is a support network of business experts, uplifting the mana of small business by helping them navigate Covid-19. And empowering us all to come out stronger. For more on Manaaki, click here. 

Media Release (24/03/2020)

Mortgage holiday and business finance support schemes to cushion COVID-19 impacts. Click here for more info.

Are you a NWO Hapū member and have either a SME or a mortgage?! If you want to know more, please contact Jamie at  jamiec@nwo.iwi.nz. 

Join our whanaunga Mark Royal and his whānau for a 30 minute workout to get you up and moving!

Mark and F45 Tāmaki have some online memberships they are running in this lockdown peroid. If you are interested visit www.f45training.co.nz/tamaki, Facebook & Insta page for more.