whakataukī
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.
now teh roh-row, naa-koo teh roh-row, kah oh-rah eye teh ee-fee
Working together and sharing resources strengthens everyone.
✦ TE AKA REO ✦
❞ Whakataukī
Learn Māori proverbs, meanings and when to use them.
Whakataukī
Learn Māori proverbs, meanings and when to use them. This page is now separated from the main dictionary so learners can choose one activity at a time. This keeps navigation simple, makes the site easier to index and gives each learning tool a clear home.
whakataukī
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
People and human relationships matter most.
whakataukī
Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.
Aim high, if you must bow, let it be to a lofty mountain.
Pursue excellence and aspire to worthy goals.
whakataukī
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu.
Although it is small, it is precious.
Something small can still hold great value.
whakataukī
Ko te kai a te rangatira he kōrero.
The food of leaders is communication.
Thoughtful communication is central to leadership.
whakataukī
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa.
Stay close together, do not stay far apart.
Remain united and connected.
whakataukī
Hutia te rito o te harakeke, kei hea te kōmako e kō?
If the centre of the flax bush is plucked out, where will the bellbird sing?
Protect what is central to the wellbeing of the family and community.
whakataukī
Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au.
I am the river and the river is me.
People and the natural world are deeply connected.
whakataukī
Nā te manu ka kai i te miro, nōna te ngahere. Nā te manu ka kai i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.
The bird that eats the miro berry owns the forest, the bird that eats knowledge owns the world.
Knowledge opens the world.
whakataukī
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
One piece of flax woven together makes a strong cord.
Success comes from collective effort, not individual strength alone.