Understanding Māori social structures and hierarchy

Māori Cultural Concepts / Practices

Case studies

Indicative Costs

Glossary of common Māori words

How - A Step-by-Step Guide to the Te Arotūriki Process - CONTINUED

DETAILS OF CONSULTATION PHASE

Glossary of common Māori words

Atua: spiritual guardians
Ao: world
Hapū: collection of families with common ancestry and ties to land; sub-tribe, pregnant
Hui: gathering
Iwi: tribe, Māori social and political grouping made up of hapū and whānau
Kaitiakitanga: the duty of care, for people and the environment
Karakia: prayer
Karanga: The call (chanting) from maori elder (woman) welcoming visitors on to the marae.
Kaumātua: Male elders who act as spokesmen on the marae. They are the keepers of knowledge and traditions of the iwi or hapū
Kaupapa: agenda, cause, plan
Kawa: Māori protocol – it is important that it is followed correctly and in the right tradition as it indicates respect.
Koha: Gift. Nowadays when visiting a marae, a koha is an amount of money from visitors indicating respect to the tanagata whenua to offset the costs of accommodation, food, etc.
Kuia: Female elders of the marae. They perform the call (karanga) to welcome people on to the marae
Korero: speak, talk
Kia ora: greeting, hello or it can mean thank you (literal: be well)
Koutou: all of you
Mahi: work, job
Māhinga kai: food gathering practices and traditional Māori foods including indigenous shellfish, inland fish (tuna [eels], freshwater kōura [crayfish]) and plants (pūha, kūmara etc.)
Mana: power, authority, prestige
Manuhiri: visitors (to the Marae)
Marae: ancestral meeting ground, and place of deep significance to Māori as it is a symbol of solidarity and tribal identity. The marae consists of a meeting house (whare nui), dining hall (whare kai) as well as the marae atea, the sacred place in front of the whare nui
Mātauranga Māori: Māori knowledge system and world view
Manaakitanga: generosity and hospitality
Mauri: life force, life principal
Mihi: greeting, introduction
Moana/awa: waterways
Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao: name of Māori Advisory Group to ERMA's Authority meaning the determinants of environmental wellbeing.
Pā: fortified village
Paepae: the speaker’s platform where male elders sit when gathering for ceremonial occasions on the marae
Papatuanuku: Mother Earth
Poroporoakī: A speech of farewell and thanks, given when a ceremony or hui is finished
Pēpeha: introductions, proverbs
Pōwhiri: ceremony of welcome
Rāhui: embargo, quarantine, traditional Māori sanction to stop people using natural resources
Rangitiratanga: authority or sovereingty
Rohe: geographical boundaries of the tribal area
Rūnanga: a body of people appointed for the purpose of administering the affairs of the tribe (like a council, committee or board)
Taha wairua: spirituality, health and well-being
Taha whanaunga: family/wider group health and well-being
Taha tinana: physical health and well-being
Taha hinengaro: mental health and well-being
Tangata: person/people
Tangata whenua: people of the land
Taonga: things deemed to be of value to or treasured by Māori.
Tapu: sacred, something that is apart because it has value and is to be respected
Te Arotūruki: National Māori Advisory Committee for Scion
Tikanga: values, reason, meaning (custom lore)
Wāhi tapu: sacred sites or sites of spiritual significance to Māori.
Wananga: course, school
Waiata: song
Wero: challenge
Whaikōrero: A formal speech made by male elders on the marae and in social gatherings. Certain elements are normally the same – like a ritual chant, acknowledgement of those who have passed on, speeches to the living, the purpose of the gathering and concluding with a song (waiata)
Whānau: family (including the extended family – aunts, uncles and cousins)
Whakapapa: cultural identity, ancestory, or relationships
Whenua: land, and also placenta/afterbirth
Wairuatanga: spirituality
Whakawhanaungatanga: family responsibilities