GLOSSARY
The pronunciation of the vowels in Maori are:
| a | has the sound of | a | in rather. |
| e | ” ” | e | in dedication. |
| i | ” ” | ee | in sheep. |
| o | ” ” | o | in bold. |
| u | ” ” | oo | in cook. |
Ariki: a high chief, a leader, a master, lord.
Aroha: affection, love.
Atua: a supernatural being, a god.
Atua-toko: a small carved stick, the symbol of the god whom it represents. It was stuck in the ground whilst holding incantations to its presiding god.
Haere-mai: come here, welcome.
Haere-ra: good-bye, go, farewell.
Haere-mai-ra, me o tatou mate: come here, that I may sorrow with you.
Karakia: invocation, ceremony, prayer.
Kehua: spirit, ghost.
Kia-ora: welcome, good luck. A greeting.
Kura: red. The sacred colour of the Maori.
Mana: power, authority, prestige, influence, sanctity, luck.
Mere-pounamu: a native weapon made of a rare green stone.
Mua: an old-time Polynesian god.
Piu-piu: short mat made out of flax leaves and neatly decorated.
Po: gloom, darkness, the lower world.
Rangatira: chief, warrior, gentlemen.
Reinga: the spirit land, the home of the dead.
Taiaha: a weapon made of wood.
Tangi: funeral, dirge. Assembly to cry over the dead.
Taniwha: sea monster, water spirit.
Tapu: sacred, supernatural possession of power. Under restriction.
Taua: war party.
Tiki: first man created, a figure carved of wood, or other representation of man.
Tohunga: a priest, a possessor of supernatural powers.
Tohu-mate: omen of death.
Tupuna: ancestor.
Wairua: spirit, soul.
Whare: hut made of fern stems tied together with flax and vines, and roofed in with raupo (reeds).
Whare-puni: large, and often beautifully carved and decorated house. A meeting house.
Whare-kura: the ancient sacred building of the Maoris at Hawaiki. Those who once met there in council are now regarded as their highest gods. Whare-kura is the name of the sacred history of the Maoris.
Whaka-papa: the genealogical history of the Maori, or a tribe, or a family.