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