Ako

Everyone positioned as learners

Hauora

(stative) be fit, well, healthy, vigorous, in good spirits

Kaiako

(noun) teacher, instructor

Kaitiakitanga

Guardianship, stewardship. Our obligation and collective responsibility to protect and sustain the natural world for generations to come.

Kaupapa

Topic, policy, matter for discussion, plan, purpose, scheme, proposal, agenda, subject, programme, theme, issue, initiative

Mahi maara

Gardening, or mahi kai—growing and preparing food

Mahi toi

Art and craft

Mana whenua

Territorial rights, power from the land, authority over land or territory, jurisdiction over land or territory—power associated with possession and occupation of tribal land. The tribe’s history and legends are based in the lands they have occupied over generations and the land provides the sustenance for the people and to provide hospitality for guests.

Mauri

Life principle, life force, vital essence, special nature, a material symbol of a life principle, source of emotions – the essential quality and vitality of a being or entity

Manaakitanga

Hospitality, kindness, generosity, support—the process of showing respect, generosity, and care for others. Care for one another and the kaupapa.

Maara kai

Vegetable garden

Ngā Atua Māori

The Māori deities—ancestors with continuing influence—although often translated as ‘god’ and now also used for the Christian God, this is a misconception of the real meaning. Many Māori trace their ancestry from atua in their whakapapa and they are regarded as ancestors with influence over particular domains. These atua also were a way of rationalising and perceiving the world. Normally invisible, atua may have visible representations.

Ngahere           

Bush, forest

Papatūānuku    

Earth, Earth mother, and wife of Ranginui—all living things originate from them

Rākau   

Tree, stick, timber, wood, spar, mast, plant—not normally used before the names of trees or plants

Rangahau         

To seek, search out, pursue, research, investigate

Ranginui          

Atua of the sky and husband of Papatūānuku, from which union originates all living things

Rongoā 

Remedy, medicine, drug, cure, medication, treatment, solution (to a problem), tonic

Taha wairua      

Spirit, soul—spirit of a person which exists beyond death. It is the non-physical spirit, distinct from the body and the mauri

Taiao    

World, Earth, natural world, environment, nature, country

Tauutuutu         

reciprocity, the giving and receiving of knowledge

Te ira tangata   

the human element

Tauira

(noun) student, pupil, apprentice

Tuna

Eel of various species, including the longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii) and shortfin eel (Anguilla australis)

Wānanga          

Opportunities to make sense of ideas together

Whakapapa      

Genealogy, genealogical table, lineage, descent

Whakatinanahia

To make manifest, implement, embody, realise

Whānau

(noun)   extended family, family group