Te Reo Maori

English, as spoken by the UK with some Kiwi influences, is the national language of New Zealand. The accent is noticeably different, but there is general agreement on vocabulary. But New Zealand also has a second language, which belongs to the indigenous people. Not everyone speaks it, but it is a part of life just the same. Schools and universities offer courses and degrees in the language. Some areas of the country have communities or schools which strictly speak Te Reo. And some words have worked their way into everyday life so that they are used interchangeably with their English counterpart. I have slowly picked up the meaning/understanding of these words, so I thought I would share some today.

Pronunciation notes for when you practice out loud as you read this:
wh = f
au = o(e) [i.e. tau is pronounced toe]
ng = if found together are always pronounced together (I have yet to accomplish this)
vowels are ah, eh, ee, o, u (as in two), they are pronounced the same as Spanish and Japanese vowels)

Counting:
1- tahi
2 - rua
3 - toru
4 - wha
5 - rimu
6 - ono
7 - whitu
8 - waru
9 - iwa
10 - tekau

Family is whanau. This is used widely as it can include close friends or someone who has been adopted into your inner circe.

Pakiha is the term for Europeans, or white people.

waiata - songs
owa - I don't know (that's what it means, I haven't just written a word I am unsure of!)
awa - river
taringa - ear
morena - good morning
iwi - tribe
marae - meeting house
Haere mae - welcome
haka - war dance
kai - food
aroha - love
mana - influence
tapu - sacred
whakapapa - geneaology or heritage (very important in Maori culture)
whenua - homeland or country
waka - canoe
iti - small
nui - large

Kei te pehea koe? How are you?

:)