Connect
Connect
Embedded Files
Ecological belonging is our sense of connection to the natural world around us. This boosts our overall Hauora and creates Kaitiaki for our local ecosystems.
Māori pronunciation guide
Māori pronunciation guide
By learning our native species Māori names and how to correctly pronounce them, we can enhance our sense of ecological belonging.
Vowels
Vowels
While there are only five vowels, combinations of vowels (diphthongs) are common eg. au, ao, ea, oi, ua.
A vowel can also have a long or short sound. A long sound is usually denoted by a macron (a bar appearing over a vowel to indicate it is lengthened during pronunciation eg. ā as in wāhi).
Pronunciation
Pronunciation
Vowels are pronounced as follows:
Short
A as in aloud
E as in entry
I as in eat
O as in ordinary
U as in to
Long
A as in car
E as in led
I as in peep
O as in pork
U as in loot
Consonants
Consonants
Pronounce consonants as you would in English, with two key exceptions:
T The ‘t’ sound depends on which vowel appears after it. When it is followed by an ‘a’, ‘e’ or ‘o’, pronounce it with as little sibilant sound as possible (almost like a ‘d’). When it is followed by an ‘i’ or ‘u’, it includes a slight sibilant sound, but not nearly as much as an English ‘t’.
R Pronounced as a soft ‘rolled’ r.
Digraphs
Digraphs
The ‘ng’ digraph is pronounced as it sounds in the English word ‘singer'.
The ‘wh’ digraph originally sounded like the ‘wh’ in ‘whisper’, but in most dialects has evolved to be more like the English ‘f’ sound.
Click the box above to further explore how to pronounce these sounds.
Learning Māori pronunciation is important for several reasons:
1. Cultural Respect: Correct pronunciation honors the Māori language and culture, showing respect for its heritage and speakers.
2. Language Preservation: Learning the correct pronunciation helps preserve the language and encourages its use among younger generations, contributing to its revitalization.
Page updated
Report abuse