Rather than just happening in September each year, why not make Te Reo Māori an increasing part of your day to day life and your faith community? To help this, we have some common Māori greetings and sign offs that you can use in your speaking and writing (including emails) with others.

The theme for this year was - ‘Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori’ - translates to ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong’. Why not do something simple like use Te Reo in your communication with others?

Greetings

Formal letter or email:

Tēnā koe (Name)              Dear (Name) — greeting one person.

Tēnā kōrua                        Greeting two people. Don’t insert the names.

Tēnā koutou                      Greeting three or more people.

Informal letter or email:
(Note: kia ora can mean hello, good morning, good afternoon and thank you)

Kia ora                              Hello any number of people

Kia ora kōrua                    Hello to two people

Kia ora koutou                  Hello to three or more people

Mōrena or Ata mārie         Good morning

Other

Ngā mihi                            Thank you

Ngā mihi nui                      Thank you very much
Ngā mihi maioha               Thank you with appreciation

Aroha mai                          Sorry, I’m sorry, my apologies

Kei te pēhea koe?              How are you? (one person)

Kei te pēhea kōrua?           How are you? (two people)

Kei te pēhea koutou?         How are you? (three or more people)

Kei te pai                            I’m well

Kei te tino pai                     I’m very well
Kia manahau!                     Enjoy!
Ka mau te wehi!                 Awesome! Fantastic!

Mere Kirihimete                 Merry Christmas

Signoffs

Nā                                      From

Nāku, nā                            Yours faithfully

Nāku iti noa, nā                  Yours sincerely

Ngā mihi                             Kind regards or thank you

Ngā mihi nui                       Kind regards (with more emphasis on gratitude)

Hei konā mai                      Goodbye for now

Mā te wā                            Bye for now, see you later

Noho ora mai                     Stay well, look after yourself, good bye

Kia pai tō rā                       Have a nice day

Kia pai tō kōrua rā             Have a nice day (two people)

Kia pai tō koutou rā           Have a nice day (three or more people)

Kia pai tō rā whakatā         Have a great weekend!

We have the above in a handy poster (attached below) you might like to put on your wall. 

A fantastic array of resources and information is also available at Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission). 

Don't forget about resources on our website to help you speak and pray in Māori. Have a go at the following:

Te Reo Resources - Kafrakia Pocket Pack

Te Reo Resources for the Eucharist