Being the culturally aware lass that I am I think every Kiwi should know a few basic words and phrases from the language of our indigenous people. Growing up in the South Island we didn’t learn a great deal of Maori at school but having lived in the cultural melting pot that is Auckland I have picked up the occasional word over the years. Here’s some basic words and their english translation to get you started.
Greetings
Kia Ora = hello, cheers, thanks
Haere rā = Goodbye
Basic Everyday Words
Moana = sea
Wharepaku = toilet
Love = aroha
Kai = food
Colours
Ma = White
Whero = Red
Kakariki = Green
Pango = Black
Pūwhero-mā = Pink
Numbers
Tahu = one
Rua = two
Toru = three
Wha = four
Rima = five
Ono = Six
Whitu = Seven
Waru = Eight
Iwa = Nine
Tekau= Ten
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