New Zealand Culture
Maori Culture
Maori are recognised as the Tangata Whenua ('people of the land') of New Zealand. They comprise 9.6% of the population and have a large cultural influence upon the nation. In 1840 the British Crown signed a treaty with some Maori chiefs. This treaty is known as the 'Treaty of Waitangi'.
The University of Waikato is committed to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. All activities including the setting of academic programmes, the services offered and the employment of staff are undertaken in a manner which strives to embrace and encourage a commitment to the principles of the Treaty by all members of the University community.
As a student at the University of Waikato, it is useful for you to recognise the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi and its effect on the daily life of many New Zealanders. Of specific importance to the University of Waikato has been the signing in 1995 of 'Te Raupatu'. This was a settlement between the Crown and Tainui people. It involved returning some land and money to Tainui tribes compensating for land and rights confiscated in the 1850s. The University of Waikato is built on land that was recently returned to Tainui.
Most Maori affiliate themselves with a tribe. Tainui is the name of the waka, or boat, on which the ancestors of those from Tainui travelled to New Zealand hundreds of years ago. Most Maori people from the Waikato region are of Tainui descent.
Visiting a Marae (Meeting Place)
During your time in New Zealand you will probaly visit a marae (the marae is a place where Maori people congregate and where Maori customs are observed). When you visit a marae (meeting place) in the Tainui area you will be expected to follow the protocol of the Tainui marae. If you visit a marae in another region (for instance Rotorua) you will be expected to follow the protocol of the marae in that region. When visiting a Marae try to go on with someone from that Marae.
If you are fortunate enough to be welcomed onto a Marae there are various requirements of protocol you should follow. Some of these are listed below.
To show respect:
- observe and copy behaviour rather than asking questions all the time;
- never shout;
- don't walk in front of people speaking;
- do not sit on pillows, tables, or benches where food has been prepared;
- turn off cell-phones during ceremonies;
- take shoes off when entering the sleeping house (Wharenui).
The Maori form of greeting is the 'Hongi' (pressing of noses). If you find this hard to do, it is acceptable to shake hands with the host people instead.
On most marae men sit in front of women . During the formal proceedings only men are allowed to get up and speak. Women are allowed to sing as a back up to the speaker. If you wish to take photographs or video at a marae you must obtain permission from the people of the marae before you take your camera out of its case. If you do obtain permission ask your hosts when you should not take photos (this might be during the formal proceedings).
Maori Dictionary
Pronunciation of Maori Vowels (the vowel pronunciation is the same as Spanish)
A - long "a" as in mark; short "a" as in cut.
E - long "e" as in weight; short "e" as in bet
I - long "i" as in feed; short "i" as in fit
O - long "o" as in fork; short "o" as in violet
U - long "u" as in spoon; short "u" as in soot
Aotearoa: The original Maori name for New Zealand, meaning the "land of the long white cloud"
Aroha: Love, caring
Hoa: Friend
Haere mai: Welcome
Haka: War dance; Challenge
Hangi: Traditional Maori meal cooked in an underground oven
Hongi: A greeting involving the pressing of noses
Iwi: Tribe
Kai: Food
Ka kite: See you later
Kaumatua: An elder tribe member
Kia Ora: Maori greeting, "Hello"
Koha: Gift, donation
Ko Tangata: The people (the University's motto)
Kuia: A senior respected woman in a tribe
Kumara: Sweet potato
Marae: Meeting place of local Maori people
Pakeha: Europeans
Powhiri: Official welcome ceremony onto a marae
Puku: Stomach
Tangata Whenua: People of the land, refers to the indigenous people of a locality
Tena koe: Greetings to a one person
Tena koutou: Greetings to many people
Te Whare Wananga O Waikato: The University of Waikato
Tikanga: Customs, protocol
Waikato: "Flowing Water"
Whanau: Extended family
Colloquial Speech
NZ Saying/Word
| Other Meaning
|
| "Eh", "Aye" | "don't you think/agree?" or "pardon" |
| "I reckon" | I think so too! |
| "Let it go" | To forget about something/move on |
| "Lord of the Rings" | NZ movie |
| "Rapt" | When someone is very pleased about something |
| "The Mount" | Mount Maunganui - a popular beach resort in the Bay of Plenty region |
| "Yeah...no" | When people say this as a response to a question it means they agree with you. It is usually a response to a double negative question |
| All Blacks | National Rugby team |
| Awesome! | Great! |
| Bach | Holiday home (north island only) |
| Biscuit/bikkie | Cookie (scone in America) |
| Blokes | Males |
| Bro | Male friend |
| Bung | Broken |
| Bush | Forest |
| BYO | "Bring Your Own" - usually refers to alcohol/beverages |
| Cheers | Thanks/good bye |
| Chick | Female/woman |
| Chook | Chicken |
| College | (Senior) High school |
| Cowshed | Milking shed for cows |
| Crib | Holiday home (south island only) |
| Crook | Sick |
| Cuppa | Hot drink, normally tea |
| Cuz or cuzzie bro | Cousin/good friend |
| Dairy | Corner convenience store |
| Dodgy | Suspicious, shady or disreputable |
| EFTPOS | Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale. This facility allows you to pay for goods at the shop using your bank cashflow/credit card |
| Entrée | Appetizer, small pre-meal |
| Fish and chips | Deep fried fish fillets and thick french fries |
| Fizzy drink | Carbonated drink e.g. Coke |
| Flat | Rented house |
| Flatmate | Person with whom you share accommodation |
| Football "Footy" | Rugby (not soccer) |
| Footpath | Pavement |
| Fry Up | Usually as a hangover cure consisting of eggs, baked beans, bacon etc |
| G'day | Casual greeting - hi |
| Gumboots | Rubber boots - a necessity when visiting farms (aka wellingtons/galoshes) |
| Guys | Often used when referring to males, but also a generic term used when addressing a group of people (male and/or female) When people say "you guys" they mean "you all" |
| Had it | Tired |
| Handle | Glass of beer |
| Hard Case | Funny and/or cool person |
| Heaps | Many or a lot of... |
| Hokey pokey | Vanilla icecream with bits of honeycomb in it |
| Hotdog | A battered sausage on a stick dipped in tomato sauce |
| Jamies/PJ's | Pyjamas |
| Jandals | Rubber thongs/sandels - summer footwear |
| Jersey | Sweater/jumper |
| Kids | Children |
| Kiwi | The national NZ bird; or a nickname for a New Zealander |
| Kumara | Sweet potato |
| L&P | A carbonated soft drink that is only sold in New Zealand made from natural spring water sourced in Paeroa, a town in the Waikato region |
| Later/Catch ya | See you later |
| League | Rugby league |
| Lemonfish | Shark fillet |
| Lift | Elevator |
| Lollies | Sweets/candy |
| Loo | Toilet, bathroom, WC, bog |
| Lotto | The national lottery |
| Luncheon | Small compressed spam-like sausage (north island only) |
| Mate | Used when referring to a friend or partner |
| Moo Loo (olei olei olei) | Local rugby chant, song |
| Movies | Cinema/Pictures |
| Muffin | Baked individual cake |
| No worries | Not a problem |
| NZ | Abbreviation of New Zealand |
| Paua | Shellfish/shell used for jewellery |
| Pavlova | NZ dessert made with egg whites and sugar |
| Pikelet | Small pancake or flapjack |
| Piker | Someone who gives up |
| Plate | When attending potluck dinners you are asked to bring a 'plate'. This means bring a plate with food on it to share with others |
| Porridge | Hot oat cereal |
| Possum | Nocturnal animal often seen killed on the road |
| Pot luck | Meal where everyone contributes a dish of food |
| Pub | Hotel, licensed to serve alcohol |
| Pudding | Dessert |
| Ranchslider | Doors normally in the lounge that slide to the left or right to open |
| Rangehood | Air extractor for the oven/stove |
| Refill | A4 sized writing pad that can be used to 'refill' ringbinders |
| Ringbinders | Hard back folders to keep papers that are hole-punched |
| Rubber | Eraser, condom |
| Serviettes | Napkins |
| Shout | Paying for other people e.g a round of drinks |
| Sizzlers | 'sausages' of homogenized meat product |
| Skivvy | A garment worn under jerseys/sweatshirts that has a high round roll-over neck. Worn extensively in winter |
| Slice | Found in bakeries - a square cake that is high is sugar and is often a bright colour |
| Smoko | Morning or afternoon tea |
| Soccer | Football (not rugby) |
| Stink | Bad |
| Stoked | Very excited/happy |
| Stubbie | Small bottle of beer |
| Stuffed | Very tired |
| Ta | Thank you |
| Tea | Could be a cup of tea but also mean an evening meal |
| The Warehouse | A well-known NZ goods store |
| Tiki-tour | Unguided tour on your own or with others |
| Togs | Swimming suit |
| Tomato sauce | A type of tomato ketchup |
| Tramp | To hike or trek |
| Twink | White-out/tippex |
| Varsity | Uni/university |
| Vids | Videos |
| Vivid | A permanent marker pen |
| Waikato Chiefs | Provincial rugby union team |
| Weetbix | Breakfast cereal |
| Wicked | Amazing |
| Wopwops | From/in the country side |
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