Ako rauemi matihiko | Learning resources
For those new to Te Reo Māori (the Māori language) we’ve put together a bunch of fun interactives to help you get started.
These are suitable for beginners upwards and will enable you to learn some common words, useful phrases in Māori, place names, gain an understanding of dialect and to cap it all off we have a fun game (for those more advanced speakers, you may choose to skip straight to the game).
Pūrārangi Māori
Pūrārangi Māori is a fun interactive tool for beginners and those new to the Māori language. Learn to pronounce vowels, consonants and dipthongs by clicking on the one you wish to learn and Pūrārangi will speak it back to you. Put it all together and you can learn an entire song.
Te Arapū
Now you’ve got a handle on the basics of vowel sounds here’s a quick game to test your knowledge of some common words. Click to hear both variations pronounced. Practice saying the words out loud, and think about which version is the correct one. Now match the correct spelling to that word.
Mihimihi
There are many ways to greet a person, a pair and a group of people. Some are formal and some are more informal. Click on the interactive flashcards to hear the different greetings. Click to see the translation on the back.
Poroporoaki
There are many ways to bid farewell to a person, a pair and a group of people. Some are formal and some are more informal. Click on the interactive flashcards to hear some of the farewells. Click to see the translation on the back.
Mahere Aotearoa
Click on different places to hear the correct pronunciation, then you give the pronunciation a try. Spend time saying and practicing different names from the map.
Once you feel you have practiced enough, select 10 names and record yourself saying them to see how you sound. Ask a friend or a whānau member to listen your recording to give you feedback.
Ingoa Wāhi
Now that you’ve gotten familiar with some place names, how about a little test? Correctly identify the Māori place name according to the English or the alternative name given above. Kia tūpato! Stay alert! You may see some place names you are not familiar with.
Reo ā-iwi
Click on different places to hear the correct pronunciation, then you give the pronunciation a try. Spend time saying and practicing different names from the map.
Once you feel you have practiced enough, select 10 names and record yourself saying them to see how you sound. Ask a friend or a whānau member to listen your recording to give you feedback.
Whanaungatanga
Kimihia ngā kupu – look for the words! See if you can find all of the relationship words listed above. You may find some kupu hōu that you haven’t come across yet.
