an introduction to the idigenous language spoken
by the Māori people of New Zealand
Te Reo is part of New Zealands’s cultural heritage and has been spoken in
New Zealand for around 1,000 years. The Māori language evolved in Aotearoa
over several hundred years. There were regional variations that probably
widened because local populations were relatively isolated. These
variations had their origins in the fact that the ancestors of modern
Māori came by canoe from different villages and islands in eastern
Polynesia. Māori had no written language, but the symbolic meanings
embodied in carving, knots and weaving were widely understood.
Missionaries arriving from about 1814 learned to speak Māori, and
introduced the Latin alphabet. But only by 1987 Te Reo became an official
language of New Zealand. Since, the language has gained popularity and is
being taught in school. Today Te Reo Māori is spoken fluently by over
130,000 people — there are also hundreds of words in daily use by all New
Zealanders.
Fun fact: Te Reo in literal translation actually means
the language
Let's have a look at some of the most common words and expressions and
their meaning:
AotearoaNew ZealandLand of the long white cloud
Kia oraHello / Thank youBe healthy
Kei te pēhea koe?How are you?In what sort of state is you?
Noho ora maiGoodbyeLook after yourself
As part of the cultural heritage awareness programm, we have created a
weekly newsletter with more Te Reo expressions and cultural fun facts of
the Māori customs!
And if you're interested in getting to know the Māori Culture better:
Te Reo
is a New Zealand TV Channel spoken
in the Māori language
The Haka is a Māori ceremonial dance, sung in Te Reo and
wordwide known for the performance by the New Zealand Rugby Team
All Blacks
Taika Waititi is one of New Zealands most famous actors
and directors with Māori background
