Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand

Te reo Māori i Te PapaMāori language at Te Papa

Articles, quizzes, events, and activity books to celebrate and learn about te Reo Māori.

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    Te reo Māori activity book

    Primary

    Celebrate Māori language by learning Māori words and phrases through simple activities. Download two free activity books for kids – focused on pronunciation, the other includes more word searches, crossword, colouring pages, and stories.

    Activity book

  • Procession for Māori Language Week

    The value of te reo Māori

    'The first time a baby was born in this country, te reo Māori was the language; the first time lovers fell in love, and fell out of love, te reo Māori was the language; the first time conflict occurred and was resolved, te reo Māori was the language.’ Dr Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal shares his kōrero about the value of te reo Māori in Aotearoa.

  • Two ladies holding up signs with Māori words 'ihi' and 'Matihiko' on them

    What’s your favourite kupu?

    As it’s Māori Language Week, we asked people from around Te Papa to share their favourite te reo Māori kupu (word). We want to hear what yours is too!

  • a cropped photo of text in Māori and English set at an angle, not intended to read

    Te reo Māori glossary

    Here are some of the te reo Māori kupu (words) you might encounter during your visit to Te Papa or on our websites.

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    Pākehā: The real meaning behind a beautiful word

    Sometimes, the origins behind reo words can get lost in translation, their meanings altered to mean something derogatory or unpleasant. Kaiako (teacher) Joan Costello shares a kōrero (story) behind the word Pākehā, and helps us understand the beauty of the word.