Glossary - Māori Words and their meaning
Brief description of Māori words on this site. Translations are not literal, for many words hold a wealth of meaning that should become clear when placed in context.
Aotearoa Aroha Atua Iwi Haere Haere Mai Hapū Haumi Kainga Kākano Kaumātua Kete Korero Korowai Mana Manaakitanga Manaia Māori Marae Moko Pā Papa Papatuanuku Pātaka Piupiu Pohutu Rakau Rangiātea Rauru Roto Rotowhio Tangata Tangata Whenua Taniwha Taonga Te Puia Te Rito Te Wānanga Whakairo Rakau Tikanga Tohunga Tohunga Whakairo Tupuna Waharoa Wai Waka Waka Maumahara Waka Taua Wānanga Whakairo Whakairo Rakau Whakapapa Whānau Whare Wharanui Whenua Whio |
 |
Māori name for New Zealand Love God, guardian Tribe, descended from one of the seven canoes which came to New Zealand To move, to go To move towards the speaker, come here Sub-tribe, a branch of the main iwi A traditional Māori canoe join Home Seed , indicates the beginning Māori Elders Woven basket Talk, speak, words. language Traditional cloak Honour, prestige, the essence of a person Caring, sharing Indigenous race of New Zealand Stylised figure used in carving, sea horse Traditional meeting place Māori village Māori tattooing on the face or body Earth, ground, soil Mother Earth, nature Food storage houses To swing or sway, name of the Māori costume flax skirt Big splash or explosion Wood, stick Place in Hawaiki and point of dispersal of migration canoes Spiral Lake, also the adverb for 'in' Lake of the blue or whistling duck Person, people People of the land, the original inhabitants Ancient creature Treasure, something prized The volcano or geyser, wellspring. Also, name of unbeatable fortress The baby stem at the heart of the flax plant. Also, name of National Weaving School Wood Carving School Principles, protocols, guidelines Chosen expert, chosen as a leader in a particular field, priest Master Carver Ancestor Traditional gateway Water Canoe, carrier, mode of transport Canoe cenotaph War canoe Tertiary institution that caters for Māori subjects The art of carving. Can also apply to weaving The art of wood carving Heritage, past, geneology, connection to land Family Building, structure, house, e.g. whare punga (houses made from punga trees) Large house, usually the sacred meeting house of tribes Land Blue or Whistling Duck |
