Māori greetings and phrases

Learn some Māori phrases to use when meeting people, talking on the phone, or writing letters.

Beginnings

Greetings to one
Tēnā koe (formal), Kia ora (informal)

Greetings to two
Tēnā kōrua (formal), Kia ora kōrua (informal)

Greetings to three or more
Tēnā koutou (formal), Kia ora koutou (informal)

Greetings to a friend
Tēnā koe e hoa (formal), Kia ora e hoa (informal)
Dear Sir/Madam
Kei te rangatira, tēnā koe (very formal)

Dear Vice-Chancellor
E te Tumu Whakarae, tēnā koe

Dear Sir/Madam
Tēnā koe

Dear Michael
Tēnā koe Mikaere

Other phrases

Good morning
Ata mārie, mōrena

Would you like a coffee?
He kawhe māu?

Would you like a tea?
He tī māu?

Would you like a water?
He wai māu?

Sugar? Milk?
He huka? He miraka?

Is (name) there (telephone)
Kei konā a (name)?

Yes, one moment please
Āe, taihoa ake nei

Is (name) in (office)
Kei konei a (name)?

Sorry s/he is in a meeting.
Kāo, kei te hui ia.

Sorry s/he is in a class.
Kāo, kei te whakaako ia.

Yes, but unfortunately s/he is busy at the moment.
Āe, engari kāore ia i te wātea i tēnei wā.

Send him/her an email.
Tukuna he īmera ki a ia.

I would like to meet with you.
Me hui tahi tāua.

I would like to meet with you all.
Me hui tahi tātou.
Shall I meet you (one person) for lunch?
Me haere tāua ki te tina?

Shall we (more than one person) meet for lunch?
Me haere tātou ki te tina?

Where?
Ki hea?

At the marae?
Ki te marae?

At the Hub?
Ki te Ihonui?

I will call past your office.
Ka peka au ki tō tari.

Meet me at the Library.
Me tūtaki tāua ki Te Pātaka Kōrero.

I am teaching until 1pm.
Kei te whakaako au ki te kotahi karaka.

My computer is broken.
Kua te pakaru taku rorohiko.

Call 5050.
Waeahia te nama rima, kore, rima, kore.

The internet is slow today.
He pōturi rawa te ipurangi i tēnei rā.

The printer is out of paper.
Kua pau te pepa i te mīhini tā.

Do you have a pen I can borrow?
He pene tāhau?

Yes, I have a pen.
Āe, he pene āku.

Endings

Yours sincerely (one signatory)
Nāku noa, nā

Yours sincerely (two signatories)
Nā māua noa, nā

Yours sincerely (three signatories)
Nā mātou noa, nā

Yours faithfully (one signatory)
Nāku, nā

That is all for now
Heoi anō tāku mō nāianei

See you (again)
Ka kite (anō)

With best wishes
Ngā manaakitanga
Regards
Ngā mihi

Thanks
Kia ora

Many thanks
Kia ora rawa atu

All the best
Noho ora mai

See you tomorrow
Hei āpōpō

See you on Monday
Hei te Rāhina