Glossary
Following is a brief description of some of the Maori words that appear on this site. The translations are not literal for many words hold a wealth of meaning that should become clear when placed in context.
A - K | J-P | Q-T | U-Z
A - K
Aroha
love
Atua
God, guardian
Iwi
Tribe, descended from one of the seven canoes which came to New Zealand
Haere
to move, to go
Haere Mai
to move towards the speaker, come here
Hapu
sub-tribe, a branch of the main iwi
Kainga
home
Kete
woven basket
Korero
talk, speak, words, language
Korowai
traditional cloak
J - P
Mana
honour, prestige, the essence of a person
Manaakitanga
caring, sharing
Maori
indigenous race of New Zealand
Marae
traditional meeting place
Pa
Maori village
Papa
earth, ground, soil
Papatuanuku
Mother Earth, nature
Piupiu
to swing or sway, name of the costume skirt
Pohutu
big splash or explosion
Q - T
Rakau
wood, stick
Rauru
spiral
Roto
lake, also the adverb for ‘in’
Rotowhio
lake of the blue or whistling duck
Tangata
person, people
Tangata Whenua
people of the land, the original inhabitants
Taniwha
ancient creature
Te Puia
the volcano or geyser. Also, name of an unbeatable fortress
Te Rito
the baby stem at the heart of the flax. Also, name of weaving school
Te Wananga Whakairo
carving school
Tikanga
principles, protocols, guidelines
Tupuna
ancestor
U - Z
Wai
water
Waka
canoe, carrier, mode of transport
Waka Taua
war canoe
Wananga
school of learning
Whakairo
the art of carving. Can also apply to weaving
Whakairo rakau
the art of wood carving
Whakapapa
heritage, past, genealogy, connection to land
Whanau
family
Whare
building, structure, house
Wharenui
large house, usually the sacred meeting house of tribes
Whenua
land
Whio
blue or whistling duck