Well-known Maori whakataukī (proverbs) and figurative expressions with their meanings explained. Front: the Maori idiom. Back: English meaning and usage note.
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- He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.
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What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.- Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
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With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive (a proverb about cooperation)- Ka mate kāinga tahi, ka ora kāinga rua.
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If one house fails, a second house will survive (a proverb about resilience and having options)- E kore au e ngaro; he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea.
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I will never be lost; I am a seed sown from Rangiātea (a proverb about identity and heritage)- Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu.
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Adorned with feathers, the bird can fly (a proverb about the value of preparation and support)- He waka eke noa
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A canoe that everyone boards, meaning a shared endeavor that includes everyone- Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
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My strength is not that of one alone, but the strength of many- Kotahi te kohao o te ngira e kuhuna ai te miro mā, te miro whero, te miro pango.
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There is but one eye of the needle through which the white, red, and black threads must pass (a proverb about unity despite differences)- Whāia te iti kahurangi.
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Seek that which is precious, pursue your highest goals- Ka pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi.
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As the old net withers, the new net goes fishing (a proverb about generational change)- He kōkōnga whare e kitea, he kōkōnga ngākau e kore e kitea.
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A corner of a house may be seen, but a corner of the heart cannot, meaning true feelings are hidden- Tama tū, tama ora; tama noho, tama mate.
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The person who stands and acts will thrive; the person who sits idle will fail- Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua.
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I walk backward into the future (describes looking to the past to move forward)- E tū kahikatea
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Stand like a kahikatea tree, which grows together in a grove for strength, a proverb about standing together- Unuhia te rito o te harakeke
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Pluck out the heart of the flax bush, and where would the bellbird find rest, a proverb about protecting the young
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