Basic Te Reo Māori Resource 
For 
Early Childhood Education Centres and 
Primary Schools 
 

\ 

Rangitane o Wairarapa Incorporated 
 

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INTRODUCTION
This  resource  has  been  created  by  Rangitane  o  Wairarapa  Incorporated  to  help  Early  Childhood 
Education and Primary School teachers to deliver basic te reo Māori across curricula. 

We  wanted  the  resource  to  be  relevant  to  the  Wairarapa  and  so  engaged  local  women  Michelle 
Potangaroa  (pakeha  and  Ngai  Tahu)  and  Astee  Karaitiana  (Rangitane,  Ngati  Kahungunu,  Raukawa 
and pakeha) to develop the content.  

Both  women  work  in  Masterton  and  are  experienced  early  childhood  educators.  At  the  time  of 
creating  the  resource  the  ladies  were  pregnant  with  respectively  their  sixth  and  second  child  and 
had gone on maternity leave the week before finalizing this work. 

By using a combination of both women’s experience of educating children outside of formal settings, 
Michelle’s extensive knowledge of the early childhood sector and Astee’s engaging way of teaching 
te reo Māori we hope that we have come up with a range of useful material. 

Also  thank  you  to  Makoura  Community  Early  Education  Centre  for  allowing  us  to  use  transcripts 
from their te reo sessions.  

The  resource  includes  karakia,  words,  phrases,  sentence  structure,  examples  of  mihi,  waiata  and 
much more. We could have kept adding more but thought that we would wait to here back from you 
before progressing further. 

For further information or inquiries please contact Joseph Potangaroa or Mike Kawana. 

 
 
 
Jason Kerehi 
Chief Executive Officer  
 
February 2010 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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CONTENTS

Topic Page

How to use this resource 4

Karakia 5

Mihimihi and introducing yourself 7

Nga kupu 8

Greetings
Farewells
Praises 9
Cautions
Instructions 10
Reo to use throughout the day
Questions and responses 12
Everyday words 13
Indoor items
Outdoor items 14
Colours 15
Shapes
Geographical words
Animals 16
Days 17
Months 18
Seasons
Plants and trees

Waiata 19

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HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE
Here are a few ideas on how to use this resource. 
 
• Learn a new word or phrase each day or week and incorporate it into your daily practice. 
• Make flash cards     
• Create labels 
• Make personalised books featuring digital photo’s of your children and words or phrases included 
here. 
• Use words or phrase in children’s personal profiles 
• Add words or phrases to learning stories 
• Make posters for around the room 
• Incorporate te reo Māori into wall displays 
• Make resources that make the children practice te reo every day. 
 

 
 

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KARAKIA
Karakia reinforce the connection between people and the atua. Karakia give thanks and ask for good
fortune.

Karakia for the start of the day

Whakatakata te hau ki te uru Cease the winds from the west

Whakatakata te hau ki te tonga Cease the winds from the south
Kia mākinakina ki uta Let the breezes blow over the land
Kia mātaratara ki tai Let the breezes blow over the ocean
E hī ake ana te atākura Let the red tipped dawn come
He tio, he huka, he hauhu With a sharpened air, a touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day
Tīhēi Mauri ora Behold the breath of life

Karakia to open or close

Karakia 1

E te Atua O lord
Tēnā koe mō ngā painga Thank you for the blessings
O tēnei rā of this day
Āmine Amen

Karakia 2

He Hōnore Honor
He korōria ki te Atua and glory to god
He maungārongo ki te whenua peace on earth
He whakaaro pai ki ngā tangata katoa and goodwill to men
Āmine Amen

Karakai a te atua (The Lord's Prayer)

E to mātou matua i te rangi Our father who art in heaven
Kia tapu tōu ingoa Hallowed be thy name
Kia tae mai tōu rangatiratanga Thy kingdom come
Kia meatia tau e pai ai Thy will be done
Ki runga ki te whenua On earth
Kia rite anō ki tō te rangi As it is in heaven
Hōmai ki a mātou āianei Give us this day
He taro mā mātou mō tēnei rā Our daily bread
Murua o mātou hara Forgive us our trespasses
Me mātou hoki e muru nei As we forgive
I o te hunga e hara ana Those that trespass
Ki a mātou Against us
Aua hoki mātou e kawea kia whakawaia Lead us not into temptation
Engari whakaorangia mātou i te kino But deliver us from evil

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Nāu hoki te rangatiratanga te kaha me te korōria The strength and the glory
Āke, ake ake Forever and ever
Āmine Amen

Karakia kai

Kua horahia te kai This food has been laid out before us
Na nga atua i homai Given to us by the atua
Tane Mahuta Tane god of the forest
Haumiatiketike Haumia god of cultivated food
Rongomatane Rongo god of kumara and peace
Tangaroa Tangaroa god of the sea
Kia ora Thank you all

Grace

E Ihowa, Dear lord

Whakapaingia ēnei kai Bless this food
Hei oranga mō ō mātau tinana, For our physical wellbeing
Wairua hoki Also feed our spirits
Āmene Amen

Grace 2

E tō mātou Matua-i-te-Rangi Our father who art in heaven

Whakapainga ēnei kai Bless this food
He oranga mō mātou tinana Health to our bodies
Te kaha me te korōria The strength and the glory
Āke, Ake, Ake. Forever and ever
Āmine Amen

 
 

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MIHIMIHI AND INTRODUCING YOURSELF
Mihimihi are used to introduce oneself, by sharing your whakapapa and where you come from you
can make connections to other people.

The first example here is appropriate for a child’s level of development. The second example can be
used by a child if they are confident enough to learn it. As you will see the more simple mihimihi starts
with the person and the second ends with the person.

Normally the sequence of the second mihimihi would be used because it describes how a person
came to be, starting with how their ancestors arrived in New Zealand, the individual while being a
precious being themselves is of lesser importance than all those that came before them.

Mihimihi 1

Ko (name) tōku ingoa

Ko (name) tōku māmā
Ko (name) tōku pāpā
Ko (name) tōku nanny
Ko (name) tōku koro
Ko (name) tōku iwi
Kei (placename) tōku kāinga
Ka haere au ki te Kōhanga Reo/kura o (name)

Mihimihi 2
Ko (name of your waka) te waka My canoe is (name of your waka)
Ko (name of your mountain) te maunga My mountain is (name of your mountain)

Ko (name of your river) te awa My river is (name of your river)

Ko (name of your tribe) te iwi My tribe is (name of your tribe)

Ko (name of your sub tribe) te hapū My sub tribe is (name of your sub tribe)

Ko (name of your chief) te rangatira (Name of your chief) is the chief

Ko (name of your marae) te marae My marae is (name of your marae)

Ko (your name) ahau I am (your name)

Introducing yourself

Ko Astee ahau I am Astee

Ko Astee toku ingoa My name is Astee

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NGA KUPU 
The main part of the resource is dedicated to words. There are words by themselves, in phrases and 
sentences. All the words gathered together here have been chosen because of each ones relevance 
to teaching children the basics of te reo Māori. 

Greetings

Kia ora Hi

Tēnā koe Hello (to one person

Tēnā kōrua Hello (to two people)

Tēnā koutou Hello (to three or more people)

Ata marie / morena Good morning

Po marie Good night

Haere mai Welcome enter

Nau mai Welcome

Kei te pehea koe i te ra nei? How are you today?

(Two responses I’m good -Kei te pai ahau or I’m great -Ka nui te ora)

Farewells

Haere rā Goodbye (to someone leaving)

E noho rā Goodbye (to someone staying)

Ka kite anō See you again

Hei konā See you later

Kua haere au. Okay, I'm off.

Hei apopo See you tomorrow

Kia waimarie Good luck

Mauri ora! Cheers

Kia pai tō rā Have a nice day

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Praises
Ka rawe! Tino pai kē! Too much

Tō ātaahua hoki You look beautiful

Tūmeke Choice

Ka rawe Choice awesome

Ka mau te wehi! Awesome

Ka pai Great

Tino pai Very good

Kia kaha Be strong/ give it heaps

Homai he awhiawhi Give me a hug

Homai he kihi Give me a kiss

Tino nui toku aroha ki a koe I really love you

Tino pai o mahi “name” Your work is great/good job “name”

Ka rawe o mahi “name” Your work is great/good job “name”

Cautions

Hoihoi Be quiet

Kāti Stop

“name” kia tupato “name” be careful

“name” me mutu koa i tera mahi “name” stop that please

Kei te whakarongo koe? Are you listening?

Waiho tēnā Leave that alone

Kia ngawari o ringa Gentle hands

Kia ngawari koe Be gentle

Kua mutu koe? Are you finished?

Koa Please

Kia pai to korero Please speak nicely

ta noho Sit nicely

Kia pai to korero ki ō hoa Speak nicely to your friends

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Instructions

E noho Sit down

E tū Stand up

Kia kaha Be strong/give it heaps

Aroha mai I’m sorry/excuse me

Pupuri ringa ringa Hold hands

ta whakarongo Listen carefully

Whakarongo Listen

E moe Go to sleep

Titiro Look

Taiho Wait up/Stop

E kai Eat up

Horoia to kanohi Wash your face

Horoia o ringaringa Wash your hands

Reo to use throughout the day

Whaea Leanne hoatu te pene kia Whaea Suz koe  Leanne pass the pen to Suz please 

Whaea Sue hoatu te aporo kia Whaea Jo    Sue pass the apple to Joe please 

Wa kai              Food time 

Me haere ki te kai          Let’s go to lunch 

Pirangi‐kai?            Do you want some food? 

Kei te hia kai koe?          Are you hungry? 

Wa karakia            Is it time for karakia 

Homai he kapu maku          Can I have a cup? 

He wai Māori maku koa         Can I have some water please 

Awhina mai            Can I help you me 

He reka tēra?            Is it yummy? 

Kua mutu (koe i to)kai?          Have you finished your kai? 

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Whakahokia to pouaka kai        Put your lunch box away 

Homai te pereti Wendy          Pass me the plate please Wendy 

Homai te miraka Rachel         Pass me the milk please Rachel 

Homai te kāreti Juliet          Pass me the carrot please Juliet 

Anei te pereti            Here is the plate 

Anei te miraka            Here is the milk 

Anei te kāreti            Here is the carrot 

Kei te harikoa koe?          Are you happy? 

Kei te pirangi koe ki te haere ki te wharepaku?    Do you need to go to the toilet? 

Kua haere koutou katoa ki te wharepaku?    Has everyone been to the toilet? 

Kei te māku koe?          Are you wet? 

Wa tīni‐kope            Time to change your nappy 

Kua aitua koe?            Have you had an accident? 

He aha tenei tae?          Can you tell me what this colour is? 

Kei te pirangi ko ki te haere mai ki te whariki?    Would you like to come to the mat? 

Ka taea e koe te panui pukapuka ki au?      Can you read me a story? 

He aha te wā?            What time is it? 

Kei hea?/Ke hea nga?          Where is/are the? 

Kei a matou te kāmera?         Have you got the camera? 

Ka taea e koe            Can you please 

Pirangi koe nga kutikuti/hu        Would you like the scissors/shoes 

He ____hau tera ____          Is that a new... 

Te ataahua hoki o to panekoti        That’s a nice dress/top 

Maku koe e awhi          I will help you 

He aha to hiahia?          What do you need? 

I ki te koe i tera?          Did you see that? 

I ki te koe...            Did you see the... 

Whakapai te ruma          Tidy up the room 

Whakapai tamariki          Tidy up children 

Wa moe            Bedtime/It’s time for a sleep 

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Pirangi moe?            Do you want a sleep? 

Kaore ka roa mo te wa moe        It’s not long until you sleep 

Kei te pirangi koe ki te haere ki waho?      Do you want to go outside? 

Whakanau to pōtae          Put on your hat 

Kei hea to pōtae?          Where is your hat? 

Kei hea ō hū?            Where are your shoes? 

Whakamau ō hū          Put on your shoes 

Whakamau te kiri‐pani          Put on your sunscreen 

Kaore au e mārama          I don’t understand 

Kia āta kōrero koa          Please speak more slowly 

Kōreromai anō            Please say that again 

Ki hea?              Where to? 

Kei hea?            Where? 

I whea?             Where from?   

Questions and responses

He aha tēnei?            What is this? 

He ... tēnā            This is a... 

He aha te kara o tēnei?          What colour is this? 

He ... te kara o tēnā          It is... 

Hei... tēna?            It is for ... 

Kei whea tō ...?            Where is your? 

Kei konei tōku...           Here is my ... 

Ko wai tō ingoa?          What’s your name? 

Ko ... ahau            My name is 

Nō hea koe?            Where are you from? 

Nō ... ahau            I’m from ... 

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Everyday words

Ae              Yes 

Aua              I don’t know 

Hari              Happy 

Hia kai              Hungry 

Hōha              Grumpy 

Inu              Thirst 

Kao              No 

Kiri‐pani            Sunscreen 

Koe              You 

Mahana            Warm 

Māku              Wet 

Marariri            Cold 

Ngenge             Tired 

Pēke              Bag 

Pō              Night 

Pouaka kai            Lunchbox 

Pouri              Sad 

Ra              Day/sun 

Indoor Items

Inu              Drink 

Karaka              Clock 

Kuaha              Door 

Maramataka            Calendar 

Pēke              Bag 

Pene hinu            Crayons 

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Pene rākau            Pencil 

Pene tae            Felts 

Pene              Pen 

Pikitia              Picture   

Pouaka whakaata          Television 

Pukapuka            Book 

Rākau              Tree 

Reo irirangi            Radio 

Rorohiko            Computer 

Tēpu              Table 

Tiwhikete            Certificate 

Tūru              Chair 

Outdoor Items

Arawhata            Stairs 

Kāheru              Spade 

Kari              Dig 

Kirikiri              Sand 

Ngono wai            Hose 

Onepu              Sandpit 

Pahikara            Bike 

Paoro              Ball 

Pātiti              Grass 

Retireti             Slide 

Taraka              Truck 

Tārere              Swing 

Wai              Water 

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Colours

Kahurangi            Blue 

Kākāriki             Green 

Karaka              Orange 

Kōwhai             Yellow 

Mā              White 

Pango              Black 

Whero              Red 

Shapes

Anau/Pewa            Crescent 

Huamanu            Oblong 

Porohita            Circle 

Taimana            Diamond 

Tapaono            Hexagon 

Tapatoru            Triangle 

Tapawha (rite)            Square 

Tapawha            Rectangle 

Whetu              Star 

Geographical Words

Ana              Cave 

Awa              River/Channel 

Iti              Small 

Kohatu              Rock 

Manga              Stream 

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Maunga            Mountain 

Moana              Sea/Lake 

Motu              Island 

Nui              Big or many 

One              Beach/Sand/Soil 

Puke              Hill 

Rangi              Sky/Heavens 

Roa              Long 

Roto              Lake 

Tai              Tide/Sea 

Tapu              Sacred 

Toka              Rock 

Whanga            Bay/Harbour 

Whenua            Land 

Animals

Heihei              Chicken 

Hipi              Sheep 

Hoiho              Horse 

Iroiro              Maggot 

Kahu              Falcon 

Kakapowai            Dragonfly 

Kau              Cow 

Kereru              Native pigeon 

Kihikihi              Cicada 

Koati              Goat 

Koura              Crayfish 

Kuri              Dog 

Makipae            Magpie 

Manu pango            Blackbird 

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Mawhitiwhiti            Grasshopper 

Morihana            Goldfish 

Ngaro              Blowfly 

Ngeru              Cat 

Noke              Earthworm 

Pahirini             Chaffinch 

Papapa             Ladybird 

Pepeke             Frog 

Pi              Bee 

Piwaiwaka            Fantail 

Popokura            Ant 

Purerehua or pepepe          Butterfly 

Purerehua or pepepe          Moth 

Rapeti              Rabbit 

Taringi              Starling 

Tauhou             Waxeye 

Tiu              Sparrow 

Tui              Tui 

Tuna              Eel 

Wapi              Wasp 

 
Days

Rahina              Monday 

Ratu              Tuesday 

Raapa              Wednesday 

Rapare              Thursday 

Ramere             Friday 

Rahoroi             Saturday 

Ratapu              Sunday 

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Months

Pipiri              May‐June 

Hongonui (or Hōngongoi)        June‐July 

Here‐turi‐kōkā            July‐August 

Mahuru             August‐September 

Whiringa‐ā‐nuku          September‐October 

Whiringa‐ā‐rangi          October‐November 

Hakihea            November‐December 

Kohi‐tātea            December‐January 

Hui‐tanguru            January‐February 

Poutū‐te‐rangi            February‐March 

Paenga‐whāwhā          March‐April 

Haratua             April‐May 

Seasons

Raumati            Summer 

Ngahuru            Autumn 

Kōanga             Spring 

Takurua            Winter           

Plants and trees

Akeake Akeake

Harakeke Flax

Horoeka Lancewood

Horopito Pepper tree

Koromiko Hebe

Kowhai Kowhai

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Mamaku Black tree fern

Manuka Tea tree

Pikopiko Prickly shield

Ponga Silver fern

Poroporo Nightshade

Puha Sow thistle

Rahurahu Bracken fern

Raupo Swamp rush

Tarata Lemonwood

Wata kirihi Water cress

Wheki ponga New Zealand tree fern

WAIATA
Maunga Tararua

Tēra te maunga

E tū ana e

He toka tokitoki

E kore e neke

Tēra te maunga

Maunga pakati

He maunga korero

E kore e neke

Maunga Tararua

E ra rangi mai ana

Tū i te po

Tū i e ao

Tū i te po

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Duck song
Raki raki x2

Ruku ruku x2

Ruku atu

Ruku mai rapu kai e.

Shapes song
Porowhita x2

Tapawha x2

Tapa toru x2

Manawa x2

Pipi song:

Kari kari

Kiri kiri

Taku kai x2

Kimihia x2

He kai x2

He pipi x2

Ka pai e

Mo te puku nui

O papa e

Tohora nui

Tohora nui, Big whale,

tohora roa long whale
Tohora tino momona very fat whale
Tohora whiuwhiua, fling (your tail) whale
tohora piupiua wave (your tail) whale
E kau ana te moana swimming in the ocean

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Sing to the tune of Making Whoopee!

Teddy bear song

Huri huri rauna

A te teti pea

Tahi rua

Kia mau i raro e

Sing to the tune of round and round the mulberry bush

Car song
Motoka iti rawa e

Māku e tara iwa e

Tangi ana x2

Uga uga uga

Hei kona e te iwi e

Mā is white

Mā is white, whero is red, kākāriki green

Pango is black, pangu is too, A. E. I. O. U.

Kōwhai yellow, pākākā brown, kiko-rangi blue

Pa-raka-raka is our orange, A. E. I. O. U.

Wera is hot, maku wet, makariri cold

Ua is rain, mahana warm, A. E. I. O. U.

Tahi is one, rua is two, toru number three

Whā is four, rima is five, 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5

Ono is six, whitu is seven waru number eight,

Iwa is nine, tekau is ten, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Happy birthday to you

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He rā whānau koa ki a koe "A day of birth joyful to you"

He rā whānau koa ki a koe A happy birthday to you

He rā whānau koa e .......... A happy birthday to ......

He rā whānau koa ki a koe. A happy birthday to you.

Pig song

Poaka kunekune

Mamana e

Kotahi tana whiore

Koromiko e.

Kapokapo whetū iti

Kapokapo whetū iti Twinkle, twinkle little star

Hua ahau he aha koe how I wonder what you are

Runga rawa i te ao Up above the world so high.

Hei tiamana i te rangi Like a diamond in the sky

Kapokapo whetū iti Twinkle, twinkle little star

Hua ahau he aha koe how I wonder what you are

Mahunga, Pakihiwi

Tahi, rua, toru, wha! One, two, three, four!

Mahunga, pakihiwi, puku, hope, waewae Head, shoulder, tummy, hips, legs

Mahunga, pakihiwi, puku, hope, waewae Head, shoulder, tummy, hips, legs

Mahunga, pakihiwi, puku, hope, waewae Head, shoulder, tummy, hips, legs

Taringa, mata, ihu, waha, e! Ears, eyes, nose, mouth, yeah!

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Pakipaki Tamariki Ma

Pakipaki, pakipaki, tamariki ma(x2) Clap, clap children.

Kanikani, kanikani, tamariki ma (2) Dance

Rere, rere, rere, rere, tamariki ma(x2) Fly

Peke, peke, peke, peke, tamariki ma (x2) Jump

Hurihuri, hurihuri, tamariki ma (x2) Turn

Hikoi, hikoi, hikoi, hikoi, tamariki ma(x2) March

Oma, oma, oma, oma, tamariki ma (x2) Run

Titiro, titiro, tamariki ma (x2) Look

E moe, e moe, tamariki ma (x2 ) Sleep

Pakipaki, pakipaki, tamariki ma (x2) Clap

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