Language in New Zealand: Maori words and expressions

Full New Zealand Travel Guide »    New Zealand Interactive Map »    Print This Article »

• Kia Ora - Hello, welcome, literally good health. Often used as an utterance of agreement, especially during speaking at a hui.

• Haere Mai - A greeting to a person arriving, while Haere Ra is a salutation to one leaving.

• Hui - A meeting or gathering to discuss and debate issues in traditional Maori fashion.

• Iwi - A Maori tribe or people, sometimes known as a Waka (canoe), as some iwi are named after the ocean going canoes that brought their ancestors to New Zealand.

• Koha - A Maori term for gifts or donations. Often an exchange of gifts takes place. (Sometimes the admission signs say, "Entry Koha", meaning gold coin or what you feel like donating.)

• Kai - Food. Common with both Maori and European.

• Marae - A traditional Maori meeting or gathering place. Also a community centre.

• Pakeha - The Maori word for New Zealanders of European decent, generally thought to have arisen from a Maori story about white creatures called 'pakepakeha'. Some European New Zealanders do not refer to themselves as Pakeha, others see the name as part of their unique identity, whilst others find it offensive.

• Powhiri - A Maori ceremonial welcome. Especially to a marae, but now also may take place at the start of a conference or similar large meeting in New Zealand.

• Whanau - A Maori (extended) family. Kinfolk.

• Wharenui - literally big house, is the meeting house on a marae. Used often in advertising to alliterate with friends such as 'friends and whanau'.

• Wharekai - literally food house, is the dining room and/or kitchen on a marae.

• Wharepaku - literally Small house or more tongue in cheek "Explode House", - Toilet