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Ko tōku reo, tōku ohooho, tōku māpihi maurea, tōku whakakai marihi.
My language is my precious gift, my object of affection and my prized ornament.
This has echoed across the last five decades and still rings loud today. Language is at the core of our identity and is connected to the whenua. Let us acknowledge activists both past and present for keeping our language and culture strong.
Kia kaha te reo.
What are 'whakataukī?
What are 'whakataukī?
Whakataukī is often translated as 'proverb' which is a short, well-known saying, which often states a general truth or a piece of advice. They arise out of everyday life and past events and in all languages give us an insight in to the way that people think and act. They can tell us about their values and how they live their lives.
Whakataukī, then, give an insight into Māori thought and way of life. Somethimes they are short and pithy, sometimes they are a little longer.
A whakatauākī is a proverb where the original speaker is known, for example “Ehara a Hikurangi i te maunga haere” was said by Te Kani-a-Takirau of Ngāti Porou so is a whakatauākī, whereas “Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu” is a whakataukī as it is not known who originally said this.
The word can be broken down like this to help us understand it.
'whaka' (to cause, or to make happen), '
'tau' (to settle or be settled)
'kī' (a saying).
So, a whakataukī is a saying that has become settled into our lexicon over time, as people repeat it.
They cannot be literally translated in the same way that English proverbs can't, or proverbs from other languages for that matter!
For example if we translate "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' into te reo Māori, it wouldn't make sense to anyone. What it actually means is that it is better to have what you have got then risk it for more. (find out more about this proverb here) T.H Smith suggests one equivalent whakataukī in te reo Māori is 'Mata whiwhia; maoa, riro ke." Literally, if you eat it underdone, you'll get it, if you wait until it's cooked, somebody else might.
However, in this article by T.H Smith, another derivation of the word is offered;
Toi tu te kupu, toi tu te mana, toi tu te whenua
Toi tu te kupu, toi tu te mana, toi tu te whenua
This whakatauakī was spoken by Tinirau of Wanganui. It is a plead to hold fast to our culture, for without language, without mana (spirit), and without land, the essence of being a Maori would no longer exist, but be a skeleton which would not give justice to the full body of Maoritanga (maoridom).
All the following whakataukī affirm the idea that determination, strength or skills are not determined purely by size. A small person, despite their size, can have many attributes and abilities
All the following whakataukī affirm the idea that determination, strength or skills are not determined purely by size. A small person, despite their size, can have many attributes and abilities
He iti, he iti kahikātoa
Though little it is still a mānuka tree
This whakataukī seems to give a message that ‘size isn't everything’. Although the Manuka can be a smaller tree in comparison to other natives, it's noted for the strength and toughness of its wood. This saying maybe applied to a small group a person or an organisation who through strength and determination, prevail. (Brougham and Reaa, 1975)
He iti te toki e rite ana ki te tangata
Though the stone axe be small, it is equal to the man (for example in clearing the forest) How do you think this could be applied in your mahi?
He iti hoki te mokoroa, nāna i kakati te kahikatea
Although the grub is little, it gnaws through the big white pine tree
Iti te kōpara kai - tarere ana i te puhi o te kahika
Though the bird may be small, it will swing on the top of the Kahika tree.
You might use this to to those who are energetic and aspiring to leadership
Iti te matakahi pangaia atu ki roto kite tōtara pākaru rikiriki
The wedge may be small, but it will split the log into pieces.
Nui pūwhāwhā: iti kahikātoa.
Big but partly decayed; tiny but red manuka (Smith, 1889)
Resources to find more whakataukī
Resources to find more whakataukī
Websites
Websites
(University of Victoria Electronic Text)
An extensive list of macronised whakataukī, complete with iwi-specific proverbs at the bottom.
Whakataukī (maori.cl)
A list of whakataukī with translation and explanation – be wary with pronunciation however as there are no macrons used on the page.
Whakataukī (maori.org.nz)
A list of whakataukī with translation – be wary with pronunciation however as there are no macrons used on the page.
Whakataukī - Māori TV Show
Join Rāhui Papa as he interviews tribal language experts for the story context of each proverb and its origins. All episodes can be streamed free online. In te reo Māori
Books
Books
– Ngā Pepeha a ngā Tūpuna – The Sayings of the Ancestors by Hirini Moko Mead – An incredible collection, with whakataukī, translations and appropriate contexts
– Wise Words of the Māori: Revealing History and Traditions by Murdoch Riley – Another extensive collection.
– The Raupō Book of Māori Proverbs by A.E. Broughton and A.W. Reed, revised by Tīmoti Kāretu – A great collection, grouped by topic
He rau ringa e oti ai
Many hands make light work
Whāia te iti kahurangi. Ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei.
Pursue that which you treasure
Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū!
Feel the fear, and overcome it. Or Eliminate the negative, Accentuate the positive
Nā koutou i tangi, nā tātou katoa.
When you cry, your tears are shed by us all
He rā anō āpōpō
Tomorrow is another day
He kokonga whare e taea te kite. He kokonga ngākau e kore e taea te kite
The corner of a house is visible, but the corner of the heart is unseen
Iti rearea, kahikatea teitei ka taea
The small rearea can ascend the tall kahikatea
Ka uka ma mea, ti uku aki e ulu
When something is challenging, make a start, because taking small steps forward is better than standing still!
He hono tangata e kore e motu
Ka pā, he taura waka e motu
Bonds between people are unbreakable
But bonds that tether a waka may break
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