Whakataukī o te Marama
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), and are used in everyday conversation. They 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.
Themes
Some common themes for whakataukī include bravery, tenacity, leadership, work, cooperation, 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.
Monthly whakataukī
Each month a member of the Heritage and Māori Collections team chooses a whakataukī (Māori proverb or saying) for display in the library.
Whaowhia te kete mātauranga.
Fill the basket of knowledge.
Fill the basket of knowledge.
Find out more
If you would like to discover more whakataukī, check out these books from our collection:
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu. Though it is small, it is made of greenstone.
Ahakoa tōnu iti, he kō totoa tonu. And though she be but little, she is fierce. Shakespeare.
![Ahakoa tōnu iti, he kō totoa tonu. And though she be but little, she is fierce. Shakespeare.]()
Arohatia te nui, whakawhirinakitia te iti... Love all, trust but a few... Shakespeare
![Arohatia te nui, whakawhirinakitia te iti... Love all, trust but a few... Shakespeare]()
E huri tō aroaro ki te rā, tukuna tō ataarangi ki muri i a koe. Turn and face the sun and let your shadow fall behind you.
![E huri tō aroaro ki te rā, tukuna tō ataarangi ki muri i a koe. Turn and face the sun and let your shadow fall behind you.]()
E iti noa ana, nā te aroha. A small thing, given in love.
![E iti noa ana, nā te aroha. A small thing, given in love.]()
E kore e hekeheke, he kākano rangatira. A noble heritage will never perish.
![E kore e hekeheke, he kākano rangatira. A noble heritage will never perish.]()
Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.
![Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.]()
He aha rā i wawe ai te tōmuringa o ngā rangi? Kua pō i mua atu i te ahiahi. Kua Hakihea i mua atu i te Matariki. How did it get so late so soon? It's night before its afternoon. December is here before it's June.
![He aha rā i wawe ai te tōmuringa o ngā rangi? Kua pō i mua atu i te ahiahi. Kua Hakihea i mua atu i te Matariki. How did it get so late so soon? It's night before its afternoon. December is here before it's June.]()
He aha te kai ō te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge and communication.
![He aha te kai ō te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge and communication.]()
He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai. If kindness is sown, then kindness you shall receive.
![He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai. If kindness is sown, then kindness you shall receive.]()
He iti hau marangai e tū te pāhokahoka. First comes the light wind, carrying rain, then comes the rainbow.
![He iti hau marangai e tū te pāhokahoka. First comes the light wind, carrying rain, then comes the rainbow.]()
He kai poutaka me kinikini atu, he kai poutaka me horehore atu, mā te tamaiti te iho. Pinch off a bit of the potted bird, peel off a bit of the potted bird, but the inside is for the child – save the best for the child.
![He kai poutaka me kinikini atu, he kai poutaka me horehore atu, mā te tamaiti te iho. Pinch off a bit of the potted bird, peel off a bit of the potted bird, but the inside is for the child – save the best for the child.]()
He nui maunga, e kore e taea te whakaneke. A great mountain cannot be moved.
![He nui maunga, e kore e taea te whakaneke. A great mountain cannot be moved.]()
He nui ngaru moana, ma te ihu o te waka e wahi. But a great ocean wave can be broken by the canoe's prow.
![He nui ngaru moana, ma te ihu o te waka e wahi. But a great ocean wave can be broken by the canoe's prow.]()
He puna wai, he puna kai, he puna reo, he puna ora, ita ita. Like food and water is sustenance for your culture, without it the culture would die. Hold steadfast to the language.
![He puna wai, he puna kai, he puna reo, he puna ora, ita ita. Like food and water is sustenance for your culture, without it the culture would die. Hold steadfast to the language.]()
He rā ki tua. There's better days ahead.
![He rā ki tua. There's better days ahead.]()
He toa kura, he toa pāhekeheke; he toa mahi kai, engari tēnā e roa te kawenga. A warrior chief has an uncertain future; but one who is expert at food production has influence for a long time.
![He toa kura, he toa pāhekeheke; he toa mahi kai, engari tēnā e roa te kawenga. A warrior chief has an uncertain future; but one who is expert at food production has influence for a long time.]()
He waha pōhue toro raro. A mouth like convolvulus spreading out below. Gossip spreads far and wide like the roots of the convolvulus.
![He waha pōhue toro raro. A mouth like convolvulus spreading out below. Gossip spreads far and wide like the roots of the convolvulus.]()
He waru ki runga, he rare ki raro. Summer above, indolence below. – In the heat of the summer, people relax.
![He waru ki runga, he rare ki raro. Summer above, indolence below. – In the heat of the summer, people relax.]()
I te rā e hana nei, ka herena e au ki te tenga o tōku korokoro. While the sun glows, I shall tie it to the lump in front of my throat. When you have something good going for you, hang on to it and make the most of it.
![I te rā e hana nei, ka herena e au ki te tenga o tōku korokoro. While the sun glows, I shall tie it to the lump in front of my throat. When you have something good going for you, hang on to it and make the most of it.]()
Ka mahi te tawa uho ki te riri. A courageous person is compared to the hard kernel of the tawa.
![Ka mahi te tawa uho ki te riri. A courageous person is compared to the hard kernel of the tawa.]()
Ka mahi te tawa uho ki te riri. The tawa kernel battles on. A courageous person is compared to the hard kernel of the tawa.
![Ka mahi te tawa uho ki te riri. The tawa kernel battles on. A courageous person is compared to the hard kernel of the tawa.]()
Ka mate he tētē, ka tupu he tētē. As one frond dies, another grows in its place.
![Ka mate he tētē, ka tupu he tētē. As one frond dies, another grows in its place.]()
Ka tangi te pīpīwharauroa, ko ngā karere a Mahuru. The cries of the shining cuckoo are the heralds of spring.
![Ka tangi te pīpīwharauroa, ko ngā karere a Mahuru. The cries of the shining cuckoo are the heralds of spring.]()
Kaua e rangiruatia te hāpai o te hoe. E kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta. Do not lift the paddle out of unison. Our canoe will never reach the shore.
![Kaua e rangiruatia te hāpai o te hoe. E kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta. Do not lift the paddle out of unison. Our canoe will never reach the shore.]()
Kaua e wareware , he rā anō apōpō. Don't forget, tomorrow is another day.
![Kaua e wareware , he rā anō apōpō. Don't forget, tomorrow is another day.]()
Kei ōu ringaringa te ao. The world is yours.
![Kei ōu ringaringa te ao. The world is yours.]()
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga ka ngaro te iwi. Without foresight and vision the people will be lost.
![Ki te kahore he whakakitenga ka ngaro te iwi. Without foresight and vision the people will be lost.]()
Ko ngā pae tawhiti, whaia kia tata. Ko ngā pae tata whakamaua kia tina. The potential for tomorrow depends on what we do today.
![Ko ngā pae tawhiti, whaia kia tata. Ko ngā pae tata whakamaua kia tina. The potential for tomorrow depends on what we do today.]()
Ko Tangaroa ara rau. Tangaroa of many paths.
![Ko Tangaroa ara rau. Tangaroa of many paths.]()
Ko te katakata te rongoā pai rawa atu. Laughter is the best medicine.
![Ko te katakata te rongoā pai rawa atu. Laughter is the best medicine.]()
Ko te manu e kai te miro, nōna te ngahere; ko te manu e kai i te mātauranga, nōna te ao. The bird that partakes of the miro berry reigns in the forest; the bird that partakes of education reigns in the world.
![Ko te manu e kai te miro, nōna te ngahere; ko te manu e kai i te mātauranga, nōna te ao. The bird that partakes of the miro berry reigns in the forest; the bird that partakes of education reigns in the world.]()
Ko te pae tawhiti, whaia kia tata; ko te pae tata, whakamaua kia tina. Seek out distant horizons, cherish those you attain.
![Ko te pae tawhiti, whaia kia tata; ko te pae tata, whakamaua kia tina. Seek out distant horizons, cherish those you attain.]()
Ko tōku reo, tōku ohooho. Ko tōku reo, tōku māpihi maurea. My language is my awakening, my language is my treasure.
![Ko tōku reo, tōku ohooho. Ko tōku reo, tōku māpihi maurea. My language is my awakening, my language is my treasure.]()
Kua hua te marama. Something has completed a full cycle.
![Kua hua te marama. Something has completed a full cycle.]()
Me aro koe ki a koe anō. To thine own self be true. Shakespeare.
![Me aro koe ki a koe anō. To thine own self be true. Shakespeare.]()
Me aro koe ki te hā o Hine-ahu-one. Pay heed to the dignity of women.
![Me aro koe ki te hā o Hine-ahu-one. Pay heed to the dignity of women.]()
Me he kai o te aroha te puoro, whakatangihia tonutia. If music be the food of love, play on. Shakespeare.
![Me he kai o te aroha te puoro, whakatangihia tonutia. If music be the food of love, play on. Shakespeare.]()
Me he rangi koe nō Hine-Raumati? Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Shakespeare
![Me he rangi koe nō Hine-Raumati? Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Shakespeare]()
Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te katoa. We should work together for the wellbeing of everyone.
![Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te katoa. We should work together for the wellbeing of everyone.]()
Me te mea ko Kōpū ka rere i te pae. The beauty of a woman is like Venus rising above the horizon.
![Me te mea ko Kōpū ka rere i te pae. The beauty of a woman is like Venus rising above the horizon.]()
Moe atu ngā ringa raupā. Marry a man with calloused hands.
![Moe atu ngā ringa raupā. Marry a man with calloused hands.]()
Moe hurihuri ai te pane mau karauna. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Shakespeare
![Moe hurihuri ai te pane mau karauna. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Shakespeare]()
Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu. Feathers allow the bird to fly.
![Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu. Feathers allow the bird to fly.]()
Mā te rongo, ka mohio. Ma te mōhio ka mārama. Mā te mārama, kā mātau. Mā te mātau, ka ora. From listening comes knowledge, from knowledge comes understanding, from understanding comes wisdom, from wisdom comes wellbeing.
![Mā te rongo, ka mohio. Ma te mōhio ka mārama. Mā te mārama, kā mātau. Mā te mātau, ka ora. From listening comes knowledge, from knowledge comes understanding, from understanding comes wisdom, from wisdom comes wellbeing.]()
Mā te werawera o tōu mata e kai ai koe i te haunga ahi o te kai. By the perspiration on your face you will taste the flavour of the cooked food. Honest work brings it's own reward.
![Mā te werawera o tōu mata e kai ai koe i te haunga ahi o te kai. By the perspiration on your face you will taste the flavour of the cooked food. Honest work brings it's own reward.]()
Ngā whetū pīataata i te rangi. The bright stars that shine in the sky.
![Ngā whetū pīataata i te rangi. The bright stars that shine in the sky.]()
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi. With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.
![Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi. With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.]()
Nāu i whatu te kākahu, he tāniko tāku. You wove the cloak, I made the border.
![Nāu i whatu te kākahu, he tāniko tāku. You wove the cloak, I made the border.]()
Nōku tēnei whenua, nō ōku tūpuna. The land is mine, inherited from my ancestors.
![Nōku tēnei whenua, nō ōku tūpuna. The land is mine, inherited from my ancestors.]()
Piki atu ki te taumata o tōku maunga, ka kite au i te mana, i te ihi o te whenua nei nō ōku tūpuna. I climb to the summit of my mountain to see the lands of my ancestors.
![Piki atu ki te taumata o tōku maunga, ka kite au i te mana, i te ihi o te whenua nei nō ōku tūpuna. I climb to the summit of my mountain to see the lands of my ancestors.]()
Pēnā ka haere tonu, a te wā ka taea, ka mau! You'll get there, just keep going!
![Pēnā ka haere tonu, a te wā ka taea, ka mau! You'll get there, just keep going!]()
Takurua hūpē nui. Winter, when your nose runs.
![Takurua hūpē nui. Winter, when your nose runs.]()
Te wahie ka whāia mō takurua, te kai ka mahia mō tau. Firewood is sought for winter, food is laboured after for the year. (Be usefully employed.)
![Te wahie ka whāia mō takurua, te kai ka mahia mō tau. Firewood is sought for winter, food is laboured after for the year. (Be usefully employed.)]()
Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamua. Look back and reflect so you can move forward.
![Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamua. Look back and reflect so you can move forward.]()
Tātai tangata ki te whenua, ka ngaro, ka ngaro; Tātai whetū me te Rangi, ka mau tonu, ka mau tonu. People live and pass on, but the starry hosts of heaven remain forever.
![Tātai tangata ki te whenua, ka ngaro, ka ngaro; Tātai whetū me te Rangi, ka mau tonu, ka mau tonu. People live and pass on, but the starry hosts of heaven remain forever.]()
Tū whitia te hopo, mairangitia te angitū! Feel the fear and do it anyway!
![Tū whitia te hopo, mairangitia te angitū! Feel the fear and do it anyway!]()
Tūngia te ururua, kia tipu whakaritorito te tipu a te harakeke. Burn off the undergrowth, so the new flax shoots may grow.
![Tūngia te ururua, kia tipu whakaritorito te tipu a te harakeke. Burn off the undergrowth, so the new flax shoots may grow.]()
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa. Let us be close together, not far apart.
![Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa. Let us be close together, not far apart.]()
Whatu ngarongaro he tangata toitū he whenua. People disappear, but the land remains.
![Whatu ngarongaro he tangata toitū he whenua. People disappear, but the land remains.]()
Whiria te tangata. Weave the people together.
![Whiria te tangata. Weave the people together.]()
Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuoho koe, me he maunga teitei. Pursue your highest aspirations, but if you surrender, then let it be to a lofty mountain.
![Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuoho koe, me he maunga teitei. Pursue your highest aspirations, but if you surrender, then let it be to a lofty mountain.]()
Ahakoa tōnu iti, he kō totoa tonu. And though she be but little, she is fierce. Shakespeare.
Arohatia te nui, whakawhirinakitia te iti... Love all, trust but a few... Shakespeare
E huri tō aroaro ki te rā, tukuna tō ataarangi ki muri i a koe. Turn and face the sun and let your shadow fall behind you.
E iti noa ana, nā te aroha. A small thing, given in love.
E kore e hekeheke, he kākano rangatira. A noble heritage will never perish.
Ehara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective.
He aha rā i wawe ai te tōmuringa o ngā rangi? Kua pō i mua atu i te ahiahi. Kua Hakihea i mua atu i te Matariki. How did it get so late so soon? It's night before its afternoon. December is here before it's June.
He aha te kai ō te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge and communication.
He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai. If kindness is sown, then kindness you shall receive.
He iti hau marangai e tū te pāhokahoka. First comes the light wind, carrying rain, then comes the rainbow.
He kai poutaka me kinikini atu, he kai poutaka me horehore atu, mā te tamaiti te iho. Pinch off a bit of the potted bird, peel off a bit of the potted bird, but the inside is for the child – save the best for the child.
He nui maunga, e kore e taea te whakaneke. A great mountain cannot be moved.
He nui ngaru moana, ma te ihu o te waka e wahi. But a great ocean wave can be broken by the canoe's prow.
He puna wai, he puna kai, he puna reo, he puna ora, ita ita. Like food and water is sustenance for your culture, without it the culture would die. Hold steadfast to the language.
He rā ki tua. There's better days ahead.
He toa kura, he toa pāhekeheke; he toa mahi kai, engari tēnā e roa te kawenga. A warrior chief has an uncertain future; but one who is expert at food production has influence for a long time.
He waha pōhue toro raro. A mouth like convolvulus spreading out below. Gossip spreads far and wide like the roots of the convolvulus.
He waru ki runga, he rare ki raro. Summer above, indolence below. – In the heat of the summer, people relax.
I te rā e hana nei, ka herena e au ki te tenga o tōku korokoro. While the sun glows, I shall tie it to the lump in front of my throat. When you have something good going for you, hang on to it and make the most of it.
Ka mahi te tawa uho ki te riri. A courageous person is compared to the hard kernel of the tawa.
Ka mahi te tawa uho ki te riri. The tawa kernel battles on. A courageous person is compared to the hard kernel of the tawa.
Ka mate he tētē, ka tupu he tētē. As one frond dies, another grows in its place.
Ka tangi te pīpīwharauroa, ko ngā karere a Mahuru. The cries of the shining cuckoo are the heralds of spring.
Kaua e rangiruatia te hāpai o te hoe. E kore tō tātou waka e ū ki uta. Do not lift the paddle out of unison. Our canoe will never reach the shore.
Kaua e wareware , he rā anō apōpō. Don't forget, tomorrow is another day.
Kei ōu ringaringa te ao. The world is yours.
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga ka ngaro te iwi. Without foresight and vision the people will be lost.
Ko ngā pae tawhiti, whaia kia tata. Ko ngā pae tata whakamaua kia tina. The potential for tomorrow depends on what we do today.
Ko Tangaroa ara rau. Tangaroa of many paths.
Ko te katakata te rongoā pai rawa atu. Laughter is the best medicine.
Ko te manu e kai te miro, nōna te ngahere; ko te manu e kai i te mātauranga, nōna te ao. The bird that partakes of the miro berry reigns in the forest; the bird that partakes of education reigns in the world.
Ko te pae tawhiti, whaia kia tata; ko te pae tata, whakamaua kia tina. Seek out distant horizons, cherish those you attain.
Ko tōku reo, tōku ohooho. Ko tōku reo, tōku māpihi maurea. My language is my awakening, my language is my treasure.
Kua hua te marama. Something has completed a full cycle.
Me aro koe ki a koe anō. To thine own self be true. Shakespeare.
Me aro koe ki te hā o Hine-ahu-one. Pay heed to the dignity of women.
Me he kai o te aroha te puoro, whakatangihia tonutia. If music be the food of love, play on. Shakespeare.
Me he rangi koe nō Hine-Raumati? Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Shakespeare
Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te katoa. We should work together for the wellbeing of everyone.
Me te mea ko Kōpū ka rere i te pae. The beauty of a woman is like Venus rising above the horizon.
Moe atu ngā ringa raupā. Marry a man with calloused hands.
Moe hurihuri ai te pane mau karauna. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Shakespeare
Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu. Feathers allow the bird to fly.
Mā te rongo, ka mohio. Ma te mōhio ka mārama. Mā te mārama, kā mātau. Mā te mātau, ka ora. From listening comes knowledge, from knowledge comes understanding, from understanding comes wisdom, from wisdom comes wellbeing.
Mā te werawera o tōu mata e kai ai koe i te haunga ahi o te kai. By the perspiration on your face you will taste the flavour of the cooked food. Honest work brings it's own reward.
Ngā whetū pīataata i te rangi. The bright stars that shine in the sky.
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi. With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.
Nāu i whatu te kākahu, he tāniko tāku. You wove the cloak, I made the border.
Nōku tēnei whenua, nō ōku tūpuna. The land is mine, inherited from my ancestors.
Piki atu ki te taumata o tōku maunga, ka kite au i te mana, i te ihi o te whenua nei nō ōku tūpuna. I climb to the summit of my mountain to see the lands of my ancestors.
Pēnā ka haere tonu, a te wā ka taea, ka mau! You'll get there, just keep going!
Takurua hūpē nui. Winter, when your nose runs.
Te wahie ka whāia mō takurua, te kai ka mahia mō tau. Firewood is sought for winter, food is laboured after for the year. (Be usefully employed.)
Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamua. Look back and reflect so you can move forward.
Tātai tangata ki te whenua, ka ngaro, ka ngaro; Tātai whetū me te Rangi, ka mau tonu, ka mau tonu. People live and pass on, but the starry hosts of heaven remain forever.
Tū whitia te hopo, mairangitia te angitū! Feel the fear and do it anyway!
Tūngia te ururua, kia tipu whakaritorito te tipu a te harakeke. Burn off the undergrowth, so the new flax shoots may grow.
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa. Let us be close together, not far apart.
Whatu ngarongaro he tangata toitū he whenua. People disappear, but the land remains.
Whiria te tangata. Weave the people together.
Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuoho koe, me he maunga teitei. Pursue your highest aspirations, but if you surrender, then let it be to a lofty mountain.
