Te Reo Māori — One Word a Week

Many people feel a desire to improve their te reo Māori skills but have busy lives and little time to undertake any formal study. One of the initiatives that Te Ropū Ratonga Māori (The Māori Services Team) has undertaken is the promotion of a weekly kupu (word) across the library network.

Every Monday morning I choose a kupu, put it in a haurārangi (sentence) and print up copies that I display at strategic points around the building. I also email these to the community libraries where a member of staff there does the same. In this way, staff are able to acquire some simple Māori vocabulary and phrases while taking the lift, during their tea break or while using the wharepaku (toilet).

I have received many positive comments from colleagues who may want me to pronounce a word for them, or ask a question about a word's usage. Te Kupu o Te Wiki gives those who are interested in learning an easy, non-intrusive way of building a vocabulary. It also means that Te Reo Māori is constantly present in our working environment.

If you think that this is something that you could undertake either at work, or at home, then the library has several Māori Language dictionaries and phrase books that can give you some ideas.

• The Reed dictionary of modern Māori — P. M. Ryan
• The Collins Māori phrase book — Patricia Hauroa
• Say it in Māori: Māori phrase book — Alan Armstrong

Also check out the Ngata-base online dictionary

Te kupu o te Wiki — Word of the Week

Hōngongoi — July

Ko Hōngongoi he marama makariri.
July is a cold month.

Nui — big or large

He manu nui te moa.
The moa was a large bird.

Pūoro — music

Tino pai ngā pūoro o Aotearoa.
New Zealand music is really good.

Rā — day or sun

Kia pai tō rā.
Have a great day.

Whetū — star

He whetū koe!
You're a star!

Moata Tamaira
Kopuka Kaituara - Reference Librarian, Māori
Ngā Pounamu Māori Centre