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Want an easy way to impress people with beautiful pronunciation and apparent fluency in te reo Māori - One of the offical languages of Aotearoa - New Zealand? [1] Learn to say hello.


  1. "Kia Ora"
    This is pronounced: Key or-rah.
    News readers on New Zealand TV stations usually say Kia Ora at the start of the news so listen to them, if you can, to perfect your pronunciation. [2]

  2. "Tena Koe"
    This is pronounced Te Na Ko E.
    In te reo Māori, all the vowels are pronounced so Koe has two sounds, the co and the e. [3]
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  3. "Tena korua"
    Sounds are, Te Na Kor Uh A.
    Don't forget to pronounce each vowel. [4]
  4. Use this greeting also for groups and big or small gatherings.
    ' "Tena koutou!" [5] 'Te Na Ko Uh Too Uh.
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  • Question
    What does "whakawhetai" mean in Maori?
    Community Answer
    "Whakawhetai" can have 2 meanings, depending on context. It means either "Thanks" or "Grateful".
  • Question
    How do I say 10,000 in Maori?
    Community Answer
    A quick search says that 10,000 in Maori is "tekau mano". Pronounced Teh-cOW-moNO.
  • Question
    How do I acknowledge someone speaking Maori?
    Community Answer
    If they speak English, try to give them a traditional Maori greeting, and then speak English if wanted. Then, at the end of your conversation, try to give them a Maori goodbye.
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