Māori Language

Right now is a great time to learn some simple Māori greetings so that you can address your Māori friends and colleagues in Te Reo Māori - not just this week, but year round.

Vowels | Colours | Numbers | Sounds

If you're worried about pronunciation, simply hold your mouse over or click the ear below and listen - then practice.

Vowels

Sound	Vowel	Sounds like…
	a	are as in How are you
	e	the e in egg
	i	the ee as in see
	o	or as in this or that
	u	as the oo in moon

Colours

Sound	Colour		Sounds like…
		White	Ma
		Black	Mangu, Pango
		Blue	Kikorangi, Kahurangi
		Dark Green	Kakariki
		Light Green	Maota
		Yellow	Kowhai
		Purple	Tawa, Poroporo
		Brown	Parauri, Pakaka
		Grey	Kiwikiwi
		Orange	Karaka, Parakaraka
		Red	Whero, Kura
		Pink	Mawhero

Numbers

Tahi	Rua	Toru	Wha	Rima	Ono	Whitu	Waru	Iwa	Tekau, Ngahuru

Sounds

Sound	Word
ma - o - ta	maota
ma - whe - ro	mawhero
ko - wha - i	kowhai
ki - wi - ki - wi	kiwikiwi