Over the years, I’ve gathered a bunch of different karakia, waiata, a few whakataukī (and whakatauāki).
I’ve listed them all here to help out! Especially if you’re a beginner like me!
Karakia
Karakia are an important aspect of te ao Māori. They are used in many different contexts, and both formal and informal situations. It is difficult, as with many other Māori concepts and kupu (words), to adequately translate ‘karakia’ into English. As in the definition above, ‘chant’ may be the most objective translation. Karakia are used for many different purposes – some in daily, informal spaces; others in formal contexts.
This short explanation is taken from the Karakia blog by Reo Māori Mai
Hui Timatanga (For beginning of meetings)
To start a meeting. The karakia is to make the hui (meeting) a safe space for all those taking part and open the space both psychologically and spiritually. Here are a couple that I have found which are appropriate. Please note, that I have personally chose to lean towards secular (non-religious) karakia but sometimes the kaupapa (reason) may call for a religious or Christian karakia. It is always a good idea to follow the tikanga (customs and rituals) of who is hosting you, and more often than not, you should ask if they wish to do their regular karakia, instead of assuming that it will be your responsibility.
| Tuia i runga | Stitch it together |
|---|---|
| Whakarongo ake au Ki te tangi a te manu E rere runga rawa e Tui, tui, tui, tuia Tuia i runga Tuia i raro Tuia i roto Tuia i waho Tui, tui, tuia Kia rongo te ao Kia rongo te pö Tui, tui, tuia | I listen I listen, where up high a bird flies Its cry rings out Sew, stitch, bind it together From above From below From within From outside Sew and bind it together During the day and the night Sew, stitch, bind it together |
| Karakia whakatuwhera | Opening karakia (no official name) |
|---|---|
| Kia hora te marino Kia whakapapa-pounamu te moana Hei huarahi mā tātou i te rangi nei Aroha atu, aroha mai Tātou i a tātou katoa Hui e! Tāiki e! | May peace be widespread May the sea be like greenstone A pathway for us all this day Let us show respect for each other For one another Bind us all together! |
| Karakia Timatanga | Starting Karakia (no official name) |
|---|---|
| E te hui Whāia te mātauranga kia mārama Kia whai take ngā mahi katoa Tū māia, tū kaha Aroha atu, aroha mai Tātou i a tātou katoa | For this meeting Seek knowledge for understanding Have purpose in all that you do Stand tall, be strong Let us show respect For each other |
| Mā te rongo, ka mohio | From listening, comes knowledge |
|---|---|
| Mā te rongo, ka mōhio Mā te mōhio, ka mārama Mā te mārama, ka mātau Mā te mātau, ka ora | From listening, comes knowledge From knowledge, comes understanding From understanding, comes wisdom From wisdom, comes well-being |
| Mā te hau mahana | From the warm winds |
|---|---|
| Mā te hau mahana Mā te hīhī o te rā Me te wairua o tātou tīpuna e manaaki e tiaki i te {**} i tēnei [*] {**} ingoa o te kamupene/rōpu [*] ata / ahiahi / pō / hui | May the warm wind May the sun’s energy May the spirit of our ancestors Guide and protect {**} this [*] {**} the name of your company/group [*] day / afternoon / evening / meeting |
| Whakataka te hau | Get ready for the winds |
|---|---|
| Whakataka te hau ki te uru Whakataka te hau ki te tonga Kia mākinakina ki uta Kia mātaratara ki tai E hī ake ana te atākura He tio, he huka, he hauhū Tihei mauri ora! | Get ready for the westerly and be prepared for the southerly. It will be icy cold inland, and icy cold on the shore. May the dawn rise red-tipped on ice, on snow, on frost. |
| Tātai Whakapapa | Creation Story of Māori Gods |
|---|---|
| Ko Rangi, Ko Papa Ka puta – ko Rongo Ko Tāne Māhuta Ko Tangaroa Ko Tūmatauenga Ko Haumietiketike Ko Tāwhirimātea Tokona te rangi ki runga, Ko Papa ki raro, Ka puta te ira tangata Ki te whaiao, ki te ao mārama E Rongo whakairia ake ki runga kia tina – Tina! Hui e! Tāiki e! | It’s Rangi, It’s Papatūānuku From them, came Rongo It’s Tāne Māhuta It’s Tangaroa It’s Tūmatauenga It’s Haumietiketike It’s Tāwhirimātea Support the sky above Support the ground below The human element (genes) have appeared To the dawnlight, the world of light Rongo is suspended above us Hold it together firmly Bind us all together! |
Hui Whakakapi (for closing of meetings)
To finish a meeting. The karakia is to close the space for returning to everyday activities. Here are a couple that I have found which are appropriate. Please note, that I have personally chose to lean towards secular (non-religious) karakia but sometimes the kaupapa (reason) may call for a religious or Christian karakia. It is always a good idea to follow the tikanga (customs and rituals) of who is hosting you, and more often than not, you should ask if they wish to do their regular karakia, instead of assuming that it will be your responsibility.
| He karakia whakakapi | Closing Karakia (no official name) |
|---|---|
| Kia whakairia te tapu Kia wātea ai te ara Kia turuki whakataha ai Kia turuki whakataha ai Haumi e. Hui e. Tāiki e! | Restrictions are moved aside So the pathways is clear To return to everyday activities To return to everyday activities |
| He karakia Whakamutunga | Closing Karakia (no official name) |
|---|---|
| Kia tau iho ngā manaakitanga o te wāhi ngaro ki runga ki tēnā, ki tēnā o tātau Kia mahea te hua mākihikihi. Kia Toi te kupu, kia toi mana, kia toi te aroha, kia toi te māramatanga, kia toi te reo Māori Tūturu whakamaua kia tina. Hui e! Tāiki e! | May the respect and kindness of that which cannot be seen Be bestowed upon us all May the seeds of doubt be cleared away Let the words, the power, the love, the understanding, the language Be established once again, hold it firmly. Let it remain forever! |
| He karakia Whakamutunga | Closing Karakia (no official name) |
|---|---|
| Te whakaeatanga e Te whakaeatanga e Tēnei te kaupapa ka ea Tēnei te wānanga ka ea Te mauri o te kaupapa ka whakamoea Te mauri o te wānanga ka whakamoea Koa ki runga, koa ki raro Haumi e, hui e, tāiki e – Nā Scotty Morrison | It is completed, it is done We have achieved our purpose, completed our forum Let the purpose of our gathering rest for now Let the vitality of our discussions replenish We depart with fulfilled hearts and minds, bonded in our common goal and unity -by Scotty Morrison |
Karakia mō te Kai (before you eat)
At many Māori hui it is expected that the food is blessed using a blessing in Māori language. The blessings of food is an introduced religious practice, predominately a Christian practice and not a pre colonial Māori practice.
Traditionally, Māori would say a karakia of acknowledgement and thanks to the gods of the food that they were to partake of. They would also offer some food to the deities or atua. There were also strict rules about not eating various foods together as it would cause the deities and gods to clash.
If you have a meal of kūmara and bird meat, you might karakia to Rongo-mā-Tāne the god of cultivated foods and Tāne Mahuta the god of all birds. You could likely also provide a part of your meal to the spirits and or to the gods as an acknowledgement of thankfulness for the food. Depending on the situation, a karakia to the deity of the particular species would occur.
In today’s modern world we have processed food that does not have a deity. So some choice of words need to be considered.
| Karakia mō te kai | Traditional Karakia for food |
|---|---|
| Nau mai e ngā hua o te wao o te ngakina o te wai tai o te wai Māori Nā Tane Nā Rongo Nā Tangaroa Nā Maru Ko Ranginui e tū iho nei Ko Papatūānuku e takoto nei Tuturu whakamaua Kia tina! TINA! Hui e! TĀIKI E! | I welcome the gifts of food from the sacred forests from the cultivated gardens from the sea from the fresh waters The food of Tane of Rongo of Tangaroa of Maru I acknowledge Ranginui who is above me, Papatūānuku who lies beneath me Let this be my commitment to all! Draw together! Affirm! |
(analysis from Dr Karaitiana Taiuru) Unless you have food from the forest such as birds and plants; food from the ocean such fish and shell fish; cultivated and cultivated and uncultivated food such as Kūmara and fern root, then the karakia defeats the purpose as it acknowledges food sources that you are not eating from. This karakia also refers to Maru, a deity of war in some Iwi and of water in other Iwi raising the fact that various Iwi have their own stories and various deities that may not match the current district you are in
| Karakia mō te kai | Traditional Karakia for food |
|---|---|
| E whakamānawa ana Ki ngā ringa i whakatipu Ki ngā ringa i whakarite I ēnei haupa hei kai mā tātou Haumi ē, hui ē, tāiki e! | Let us bless The hands that grew The hands that made ready this food that we will eat Draw together! Affirm! |
Waiata (Common Māori songs)
Waiata are songs that are sung to acknowlege your speaker. Here are some waiata tautoko that are common and easy to learn.
| Tai Aroha | Tide of Love |
|---|---|
| Ko te aroha anō he wai E pupū ake ana He awa e māpuna mai ana I roto i te whatu-manawa (x2) Ko tōna mātāpuna he hōhonu Ā inā ia ka rere anō (x2) He tai timu He tai pari He tai ope He tai roa He tai nui, He tai nui, He tai nui | Love is like water continually bubbling up a spring that will keep flowing from within your soul. Its source is deep within it has a soothing effect an ebb tide an incoming tide a forceful tide a long-lasting tide a full tide. |
| Rongomai | Rongomai (name of Atua) |
|---|---|
| Huri ai e amiorangi Whērokiroki nei e te whānau mārama i te rangi e kia rere noa au i ngā parihau o te waka atea rere takiwā huri ai e amiorangi. (x2) Tīramarama nei e te auahi tūroa i te rangi e kia rere noa au i tōna pūhihi, hune toroa kia mihi noa au ki te hunga whetūrangi. (x2) Aiō ana mai te marino i te rangi e kia rere noa au i te raukura o Rongomai rere mata ao ki te hono i te rongo. (x2) (Nā Hirini Melbourne) | Orbiting always Blurring / shining the stars in the heavens I will fly on the wings of a spacecraft (the stars) flying to all areas (planets) orbiting always Glittering / sparkling The comet in the heavens I will fly on its whiskers, dune albatross so I can acknowledge to the multitude of stars/galaxies Peace continues the tranquility in the heavens I will fly on the feathered plume of Rongomai fly over the face of planets to join through listening (By Hirini Melbourne) |
| Ngā whakamoemiti | Thanksgiving |
|---|---|
| Nga Whakamoemiti Whakawhetai E Ihu e Mo ou manaakitanga Ki te iwi E tau nei Ko koe te piringa Ka puta ki te oranga E te Ariki Pai marire | Praising and giving thanks to Jesus For his blessings Up to the people who have assembled here You are the one that will bring us together And show us a better life Lord everlasting peace |
| Ka pioioi | This swaying dance |
|---|---|
| Ka pīoioi e Tohu aroha haukāinga E hoki mai rā Kia kite atu i tō iwi e. E rotarota ana E katakata ana mai rā. Pūkana whētero mai I te ihi ā ō mātua. Kia kite atu ano I tō ataahua ai kanapa Pupuhi ai e te hau Kapohia āku roimata. Ka pīoioi he tohu aroha haukāinga | This swaying dance shows the love of your home-town people. You’ve come back home, to see your people. There is gesturing and laughing with joy at your return, Eyes popping and tongues thrusting from the energy of those performing. I see again your beauty gleaming there caressed by the wind, and my tears are snatched away. This fluttering dance shows your home-town people’s love. |
| Homai tō poho | Give me your chest |
|---|---|
| Homai tō poho hei piringa. Tō poho hei piringa. Homai tō kiri kia rongo atu au. Tō kiri kia rongo atu au. Homai te kupu kia koorero. Te kupu kia kōrero. Nāu nei au, nāu nei au. Auee. | Lend me your chest So that I might be comforted Your chest that I might seek comforted Give me your skin to touch So that I might sense you Your skin so I might sense you Give me your words Your words that speak to me Your words that speak You are me, I am you. |
Hei Waiata, Hei Whakakoakoa
Hei Waiata, Hei Whakakoakoa has been developed to support the teaching and learning of te reo Māori in English-medium schools.
Hei Waiata, Hei Whakakoakoa consisted of a CD and an accompanying book. The CD is now a digital download in MP3 format. There are forty-six tracks – a mixture of waiata and haka. The book contains curriculum links, activities, notes about the waiata and haka (including translations and meanings), lyrics, and song sheets (manuscript music).
Individual tracks from the CD or MP3 may be duplicated for classroom use. The lyrics and song sheets may be photocopied or printed for classroom use. The song sheets can be used for accompanying performances, practising playing an instrument or singing from a score. The song sheets are always in the same key as the waiata on the CD or MP3.
Click here to access all the files in Hei Waiata, Hei Whakakoakoa
Whakataukī & Whakatauāki (sayings & Proverbs)
Whakataukī give an insight into Māori thought. The word whakataukī can be split into whaka (to cause), tau (to be settled) and kī (a saying), thus a whakataukī is a saying that has become settled over time, through constant repetition from the time it was first exclaimed right up to the present day.
A whakatauākī is a proverb where the original speaker is known, for example “Ehara a Hikurangi i te maunga haere” was said by Te Kani-a-Takirau of Ngāti Porou so is a whakatauākī, whereas “Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu” is a whakataukī as it is not known who originally said this.
We are careful not to assume that we understand fully when using either whakataukī or whakatauakī, but do a bit of reading around the regular usages of the phrase you are choosing and see whether it really fits into the context you are trying to convey.
| Piki atu ki te taumata o tōku maunga. Ka kite au i te mana, i te ihi o te whenua nei nō ōku tupuna. | I climb to the summit of my mountain to see the lands of my ancestors. |
| Ta te tamariki tana mahi wawahi tahā | It is the job of the children to smash the calabash |
| Tōku reo, tōku ohooho, tōku reo, tōku māpihi maurea, tōku reo, tōku whakakai marihi. | My language is my awakening, my language is my treasure, my language is my prized possession. |
| Kua tawhiti kē tō haerenga mai, kia kore e haere tonu. He nui rawa ō mahi, kia kore mahi tonu – Nā Tā Himi Henare | You have come too far, to not go further, you have done too much, not to do more – by Himi Henare |
There are a lot more here on a course content page created by Regan Stokes, Damien Taylor, Joshua Toki and Jamie Stevenson. They created this page when they ran a series of te reo Māori lessopns in Ōtautahi (Christchurch)
Vivian Chandra 