homeCouncil websiteVisiting KāpitiMahara GalleryCouncil Services
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email
FacebookyouTube
Share
LIBRARIES
search SEARCH
menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Borrow
  • News and Events
  • Children's
  • Teens
  • Māori
  • Heritage
  • Contact Us
  • Login
Māori
  • Te Reokeyboard_arrow_up
    • Whakataukī o te Marama
    • Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
  • Māori Collections and Resourceskeyboard_arrow_down
  • Panui
  • Local Iwi
  • Waitangi Day
LibraryMāoriTe ReoWhakataukī o te Marama

Whakataukī o te Marama

Each month a member of the Heritage & Māori Collections team chooses a whakataukī (Māori proverb or saying) for display in the library. 

Māori proverbs and sayings called ‘whakataukī’, ‘whakatauākī’ or ‘pepeha’ play a large role within Māori culture.  Whakataukī are an important feature of formal speechmaking (whaikōrero) but can also be used in everyday conversation. Whakataukī embody the values, wisdom, wit, and common-sense of tangata whenua (people of the land). They are usually short and concise - using symbolism and metaphor to convey key messages.

Some common themes for whakataukī include: bravery, tenacity, leadership, work, co-operation, the sharing of resources, kindness, love, hospitality, conservation, land, identity, belonging and family. Other whakataukī relate to the seasons and special events like Matariki.

These whakataukī celebrate the beauty of the Māori language and offer food for thought.

Whaowhia te kete mātauranga.
Fill the basket of knowledge.

If you would like to discover more whakataukī  - check out these books from our collection:

  • Māori sayings and proverbs compiled by Murdoch Riley
  • The Raupō book of Māori proverbs by A.E. Brougham & A.W. Reed
  • Nga pepeha a nga tipuna by Sidney M. Mead
  • Earth, Sea, Sky: images and Maori proverbs from the natural world of Aotearoa New Zealand by Patricia and Waiariki Grace.
Feathers allow the bird to fly - Whakatauki Maori proverb Feathers allow the bird to fly - Whakatauki Maori proverb Ngā Whetu Piataata - Matariki Whakatauki Ngā Whetu Piataata - Matariki Whakatauki Mā te rongo, ka mohio - Knowledge Whakataukī Mā te rongo, ka mohio - Knowledge Whakataukī Ki te Taumata o te Maunga - Climb High Whakatauki Ki te Taumata o te Maunga - Climb High Whakatauki Harakeke Whakatauki Harakeke Whakatauki Ehara Taku Toa Team Work Collaboration Whakataukī Ehara Taku Toa Team Work Collaboration Whakataukī Mahi Tahi - Working together for wellbeing - Wahakatauki Proverb Mahi Tahi - Working together for wellbeing - Wahakatauki Proverb Mahi Tahi Unity Working Together Whakatauki Mahi Tahi Unity Working Together Whakatauki Harakeke Whakatauki Harakeke Whakatauki Hapai O Te Hoe Whakatauki Hapai O Te Hoe Whakatauki E Huri To Aroaro Turn Your Face To The Sun E Huri To Aroaro Turn Your Face To The Sun Whiria Te Tangata Weaving The People Together Unity Whakatauki Whiria Te Tangata Weaving The People Together Unity Whakatauki He Ra Ki Tua There's Better Days Ahead Positivity Affirmation He Ra Ki Tua There's Better Days Ahead Positivity Affirmation Katakata Laughter Is The Medicine Katakata Laughter Is The Medicine Shakespeare - Though she be but little she is fierce Shakespeare - Though she be but little she is fierce Whatu ngarongaro - Feb 15 Whatu ngarongaro - Feb 15 Shakespeare - Uneasy lies the Head Te Reo Māori Shakespeare  - Uneasy lies the Head Te Reo Māori Shakespere - Te Reo Māori - Music be the food of love Shakespere  - Te Reo Māori - Music be the food of love 9 E Iti Noa (578542) 9 E Iti Noa (578542) Shakespeare - Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day? Hine-Raumati Te Reo Māori Shakespeare  - Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day? Hine-Raumati Te Reo Māori Shakespeare - Love All trust a Few - Te Reo Māori Shakespeare - Love All trust a Few - Te Reo Māori Shakespeare - To thine own self be true - Te reo Māori translations Shakespeare - To thine own self be true - Te reo Māori translations 7 Ka Mahi Te Tawai (578540) 7 Ka Mahi Te Tawai (578540) 5 (1) 5 (1) Greenstone Pounamu Whakatauki proverbs & sayings Greenstone Pounamu Whakatauki proverbs & sayings Shining Cuckoo proverb whakatauki Shining Cuckoo proverb whakatauki Ka mahia mō tau - Firewood whakataukī Ka mahia mō tau - Firewood whakataukī Katakata Laughter Is The Medicine Katakata Laughter Is The Medicine Whiria Te Tangata Weaving The People Together Unity (1) Whiria Te Tangata Weaving The People Together Unity (1) Rangatira Noble Chief Heritage Rangatira Noble Chief Heritage Ngā Whetu Piataata - Matariki Whakatauki Ngā Whetu Piataata - Matariki Whakatauki Mahi Tahi Unity Working Together Whakatauki Mahi Tahi Unity Working Together Whakatauki Mā te rongo, ka mohio - Knowledge Whakataukī Mā te rongo, ka mohio - Knowledge Whakataukī Mahi Tahi - Working together for wellbeing - Wahakatauki Proverb Mahi Tahi - Working together for wellbeing - Wahakatauki Proverb Ki te Taumata o te Maunga - Climb High Whakatauki Ki te Taumata o te Maunga - Climb High Whakatauki He Ra Ki Tua There's Better Days Ahead Positivity Affirmation He Ra Ki Tua There's Better Days Ahead Positivity Affirmation Harakeke Whakatauki Harakeke Whakatauki Hapai O Te Hoe Whakatauki Hapai O Te Hoe Whakatauki Feathers allow the bird to fly - Whakatauki Maori proverb Feathers allow the bird to fly - Whakatauki Maori proverb Ehara Taku Toa Team Work Collaboration Whakataukī Ehara Taku Toa Team Work Collaboration Whakataukī E Huri To Aroaro Turn Your Face To The Sun E Huri To Aroaro Turn Your Face To The Sun Whatu ngarongaro - Feb 15 Whatu ngarongaro - Feb 15 7 Ka Mahi Te Tawai (578540) 7 Ka Mahi Te Tawai (578540) 9 E Iti Noa (578542) 9 E Iti Noa (578542) Tatai Tangata / Stars Whakatauki Tatai Tangata / Stars Whakatauki 01 M Te Werawera 01 M Te Werawera 1 Me Aro Koe Aug 2013 1 Me Aro Koe Aug 2013 Dr Seuss Christmas Whakatauki Dr Seuss Christmas Whakatauki Whenua - land of the ancestors Whenua - land of the ancestors August Whakatauki August Whakatauki Just Do It! Whakatauki Māori Just Do It! Whakatauki Māori Unity / Togetherness Proverb Whakatauki Unity / Togetherness Proverb Whakatauki Ka Tangi Te Pipiwharauroa Ko Ng Karere Mahuru 2017 Ka Tangi Te Pipiwharauroa Ko Ng Karere Mahuru 2017 Ko Te Pae Tawhiti Ko Te Pae Tawhiti Kua Hua Te Marama Kua Hua Te Marama March 2015 ... Nau I Whatu March 2015 ... Nau I Whatu March Whakatauki March Whakatauki Nona Te Ao Nona Te Ao Children Proverbs Māori Whakatauki Children Proverbs Māori Whakatauki Fear and Courage Whakatauki Fear and Courage  Whakatauki Food production Whakatauki Food production Whakatauki Takurua Hupe Nui Takurua Hupe Nui Waha Pohue Waha Pohue Wahine Toa Wahine Toa Kindness & Aroha Whakatauki Kindness & Aroha Whakatauki Tangaroa Whakatauki Tangaroa Whakatauki Looking to the future, remembering the past whakatauki Looking to the future, remembering the past whakatauki Youth & Potential Whakatauki Youth & Potential Whakatauki Summer / Seasons Whakatauki Summer / Seasons Whakatauki Whakatauki Ringa Raup Whakatauki Ringa Raup Māori Language Whakataukī Māori Language Whakataukī Whatu Ngarongaro Feb 15 Whatu Ngarongaro Feb 15 Whiria Te Tangata Weaving The People Together Unity Whakatauki Whiria Te Tangata Weaving The People Together Unity Whakatauki Like A Tawa Kernel Whakataukī Like A Tawa Kernel Whakataukī Small gift given in love proverb whakatauki Small gift given in love proverb whakatauki Kaua e wareware - Tomorrow is another day Kaua e wareware - Tomorrow is another day Mana Wahine Whakatauki Mana Wahine Whakatauki Toku Reo Toku Reo Waka Whakatauki Waka Whakatauki Foresight and Vision Whakatauki Foresight and Vision Whakatauki Rainbow / Hope / Weather Whakatauki Rainbow / Hope / Weather Whakatauki Pounamu Pounamu Bow to a lofty Mountain - Perseverance & Determination Bow to a lofty Mountain - Perseverance & Determination Regeneration / Growth / Generations Whakataukī Regeneration / Growth / Generations Whakataukī Cooperation & Collaboration...Nau i Whatu te kakahu Cooperation & Collaboration...Nau i Whatu te kakahu Steadfast & Mighty - He nui maunga - Whakatauki Steadfast & Mighty - He nui maunga - Whakatauki Kai Whakatauki Kai Whakatauki Adventure Discovery Potential Whakatauki Proverbs Adventure Discovery Potential Whakatauki Proverbs
Feathers allow the bird to fly - Whakatauki Maori proverb - Thumbnail
Ngā Whetu Piataata - Matariki Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Mā te rongo, ka mohio - Knowledge Whakataukī - Thumbnail
Ki te Taumata o te Maunga - Climb High Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Harakeke Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Ehara Taku Toa Team Work Collaboration Whakataukī - Thumbnail
Mahi Tahi - Working together for wellbeing - Wahakatauki Proverb - Thumbnail
Mahi Tahi Unity Working Together Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Harakeke Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Hapai O Te Hoe Whakatauki - Thumbnail
E Huri To Aroaro Turn Your Face To The Sun - Thumbnail
Whiria Te Tangata Weaving The People Together Unity Whakatauki - Thumbnail
He Ra Ki Tua There's Better Days Ahead Positivity Affirmation - Thumbnail
Katakata Laughter Is The Medicine - Thumbnail
Shakespeare - Though she be but little she is fierce - Thumbnail
Whatu ngarongaro - Feb 15 - Thumbnail
Shakespeare  - Uneasy lies the Head Te Reo Māori - Thumbnail
Shakespere  - Te Reo Māori - Music be the food of love - Thumbnail
9 E Iti Noa (578542) - Thumbnail
Shakespeare  - Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day? Hine-Raumati Te Reo Māori - Thumbnail
Shakespeare - Love All trust a Few - Te Reo Māori - Thumbnail
Shakespeare - To thine own self be true - Te reo Māori translations - Thumbnail
7 Ka Mahi Te Tawai (578540) - Thumbnail
5 (1) - Thumbnail
Greenstone Pounamu Whakatauki proverbs & sayings - Thumbnail
Shining Cuckoo proverb whakatauki - Thumbnail
Ka mahia mō tau - Firewood whakataukī - Thumbnail
Katakata Laughter Is The Medicine - Thumbnail
Whiria Te Tangata Weaving The People Together Unity (1) - Thumbnail
Rangatira Noble Chief Heritage - Thumbnail
Ngā Whetu Piataata - Matariki Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Mahi Tahi Unity Working Together Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Mā te rongo, ka mohio - Knowledge Whakataukī - Thumbnail
Mahi Tahi - Working together for wellbeing - Wahakatauki Proverb - Thumbnail
Ki te Taumata o te Maunga - Climb High Whakatauki - Thumbnail
He Ra Ki Tua There's Better Days Ahead Positivity Affirmation - Thumbnail
Harakeke Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Hapai O Te Hoe Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Feathers allow the bird to fly - Whakatauki Maori proverb - Thumbnail
Ehara Taku Toa Team Work Collaboration Whakataukī - Thumbnail
E Huri To Aroaro Turn Your Face To The Sun - Thumbnail
Whatu ngarongaro - Feb 15 - Thumbnail
7 Ka Mahi Te Tawai (578540) - Thumbnail
9 E Iti Noa (578542) - Thumbnail
Tatai Tangata / Stars Whakatauki - Thumbnail
01 M Te Werawera - Thumbnail
1 Me Aro Koe Aug 2013 - Thumbnail
Dr Seuss Christmas Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Whenua - land of the ancestors - Thumbnail
August Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Just Do It! Whakatauki Māori - Thumbnail
Unity / Togetherness Proverb Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Ka Tangi Te Pipiwharauroa Ko Ng Karere Mahuru 2017 - Thumbnail
Ko Te Pae Tawhiti - Thumbnail
Kua Hua Te Marama - Thumbnail
March 2015 ... Nau I Whatu - Thumbnail
March Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Nona Te Ao - Thumbnail
Children Proverbs Māori Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Fear and Courage  Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Food production Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Takurua Hupe Nui - Thumbnail
Waha Pohue - Thumbnail
Wahine Toa - Thumbnail
Kindness & Aroha Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Tangaroa Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Looking to the future, remembering the past whakatauki - Thumbnail
Youth & Potential Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Summer / Seasons Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Whakatauki Ringa Raup - Thumbnail
Māori Language Whakataukī - Thumbnail
Whatu Ngarongaro Feb 15 - Thumbnail
Whiria Te Tangata Weaving The People Together Unity Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Like A Tawa Kernel Whakataukī - Thumbnail
Small gift given in love proverb whakatauki - Thumbnail
Kaua e wareware - Tomorrow is another day - Thumbnail
Mana Wahine Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Toku Reo - Thumbnail
Waka Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Foresight and Vision Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Rainbow / Hope / Weather Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Pounamu - Thumbnail
Bow to a lofty Mountain - Perseverance & Determination - Thumbnail
Regeneration / Growth / Generations Whakataukī - Thumbnail
Cooperation & Collaboration...Nau i Whatu te kakahu - Thumbnail
Steadfast & Mighty - He nui maunga - Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Kai Whakatauki - Thumbnail
Adventure Discovery Potential Whakatauki Proverbs - Thumbnail
Library Opening Hours Library Opening Hours Find out all you need to know about where our libraries are and their opening hours. Library Catalogue Library Catalogue Search the library catalogue, place reserves, renew your loans and suggest titles to be added to the collection. Online Resources Online Resources Check out digital resources you can use for free! Tamariki - Kids Tamariki - Kids Check out books, activities, and more at Kāpiti Libraries. Mau Mahara Kāpiti Mau Mahara Kāpiti View our historical photograph collection online. Browse and order from over 2000 images of local people and places. What's on at the library What's on at the library All libraries hold regular, and special events for all ages. Check here for details.
menu
  • ebooks
  • Join
  • How Do I?
  • eResources
  • Paraparaumu Community Hub
  • Friends of the Library
  • Mau Mahara Kāpiti
  • Pressreader
© Copyright Kāpiti Coast District Council
AccessibilityLegal NoticesSitemap
NZ Government logo