Here are some simple Māori phrases that you can use at home with your tamariki.

Māori is a phonetic language.  The key to correct pronunciation is to master the sounds of the five vowels:

a, e, i, o, u

The vowel a is pronounced as in the english word cut.
The vowel e is pronounced as in the english word egg.
The vowel i is pronounced as in the english word key.
The vowel o is pronounced as in the english word paw.
The vowel u is pronounced as in the english word shoe.

There are long and short vowel sounds with macrons used on the long vowel to indicate the double vowel sound.

The vowel ā is pronounced as in the english word car.

The vowel ē is pronounced as in the english word pear.

The vowel ī is pronounced as in the english word eel.

The vowel ō is pronounced as in the english word pour.

The vowel ū is pronounced as in the english word roof.

There are 10 consonants; h, k, m, n, p, r, t, w, ng, wh.

A good time to use te reo Māori is in the morning before school.  

Useful words 

Ata mārie.                               Good morning.
Morena.                                Good morning.
E oho.                                   Wake up.
Maranga.                              Get up.
He aha tō parakuihi?             What would you like for breakfast?
Me parakuihi koe.                 Have some breakfast.
Kei hea tō pēke kura?          Where is your school bag?
Haere mai ki te waku niho.   Come and brush your teeth.
Tomokia te waka.                  Get in the car.
Kia pai te rā ki te kura.         Have a good day at school.