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Kīwaha (Sayings)

Breens Intermediate —

A kiwaha, or saying, is something you would teach a learner at the beginning of a lesson, it is a fun way of teaching Te Reo Maori! A kiwaha can be made up and can mean anything as long as it is a saying. 

For example: Hey Bro! — E Mara! Awesome! — Tau Ke! Wicked! — Wananei! 

Kiwaha should be fun and exciting ways to express yourself!

Here are some examples:

  • Tau Ke — Awesome!
  • Wananei — Wicked!
  • Tumeke — Awesome!
  • E Mara — Hey bro!
  • Titiro! — Look!
  • Kia Tau! — Relax, settle petal!
  • Keke ana te haere — Like a rocket
  • He reka! — Yummm!
  • Me haere — Come quickly!
  • Te ataahua hoki! — That’s beautiful
  • He tino pai hoki koe! — You’re very good!
  • Ka mau te wehi! — That’s amazing!
  • Katahi na te tamaiti mohio, ko koe! — What a clever child you are!
  • Kei runga noa atu koe! — You’re the best!
  • Aue, e hika ma! — Goodness me!
  • Pai kare! — By golly!
  • Kaua e mahi pena! — Don’t do that!
  • Ehara, ehara — That's not right! Not even!
  • Karawhiua — Give it heaps! Go hard!
  • Te mutunga ke mai o te pai! — Never better/awesome!
  • To ihu! — Butt out, stop being nosey!
  • Marama keke — Piece of cake, easy as!
  • Kua taka te kapa! — The penny has dropped!
  • Kua pau te hau! — I'm exhausted!
  • E ki e ki — Whatever!
  • Kei runga noa atu koe! — You're awesome!
  • Te aro i a au — I don't give a damn
  • Katahi te tangata haututu — What a mischief person!
  • Ka kai koe to tutae — What goes around, comes around!
  • Na kawe korero te ki — A little bird told me!
  • Engari tonu — Whatever!
  • akuni pea — Maybe