Affiliate Disclaimer: Lingalot is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases. We may also use affiliate links for other programmes. (See full affiliate disclosure.)

66 Maori Proverbs, Sayings & Quotes + Meanings

Maori people use a lot of sayings and expressions in daily life which offer advice and even sometimes have hidden meanings.

Check out these Maori whakatauki proverbs and quotes below to gain some insight into Maori beliefs and ways of thinking. 

I’ve included:

  • Common Maori proverbs,
  • Inspiring Maori sayings,
  • Famous Maori quotes

My favorite is number 34. I hope you can find a favorite on this list too!

Famous Maori Proverbs (Whakatauki) & Maori Sayings

Here’s some of the most famous Maori proverbs as well as some common Maori sayings.

💡 In the Maori language, proverbs are known as whakatauki and they play a huge role in Maori culture.

  1. Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei – Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.

This Maori proverb is all about aiming high and reaching your goals. Be persistent and don’t let obstacles stop you.

  1. Kaua e mate wheke mate ururoa – Don’t die like an octopus, die like a hammerhead shark.

The octopus is well-known for its lack of resistance when captured. On the other hand, the hammerhead shark will fight bitterly to the end. This proverb teaches you not to give up, no matter how hard the struggle.

Famous Maori proverb which reads 'don't die like an octopus, die like a hammerhead shark'.
  1. Naku te rourou nau te rourou ka ora ai te iwi – With your basket and my basket the people will live.

This Maori proverb refers to co-operation. By combining resources and working together we can achieve much better results.

  1. Kāore te kumara e kōrero mō tōna ake reka – The sweet potato does not say how sweet he is.

This proverb teaches us the value of being humble and modest.

  1. Ki te kore nga putake e mākukungia e kore te rakau e tupu – If the roots of the tree are not watered, the tree will not grow. 
  1. He iti hau marangai e tū te pāhokahoka – Just like a rainbow after the storm, success follows failure.
  1. He rangi tā Matawhāiti, he rangi tā Matawhānui – The person with narrow vision sees a narrow horizon, the person with wide vision sees a wide horizon.

This Maori whakatauki teaches that we need to think big to achieve big things.

  1. He tangata takahi manuhiri, he marae puehu – A person who mistreats his guest has a dusty house.

This Maori saying emphasizes the importance of hospitality in Maori culture. You should treat your visitors well or you’ll find you have no visitors at all.

  1. Tangata ako ana i te whare, te turanga ki te marae, tau ana – A person who is taught at home will stand collected on the marae (traditional Maori meeting place).

This Maori proverb teaches that a child who is given proper values at home will behave well within society and throughout his/her life.

  1. Mai i te Kōpae ki te Urupa, tātou ako tonu ai – From the cradle to the grave, we are forever learning.
Famous Maori proverb which reads 'from the cradle to the grave, we are forever learning'.
  1. He waka eke noa – A canoe which we are all in with no exception.

This Maori saying simply means ‘we are all in this together’.

  1. ​​Ahakoa he iti kete, he iti nā te aroha – It is the thought that counts.
  1. Te anga karaka, te anga koura, kei kitea te Marae – The shells of the karaka berry and the shells of the crayfish should not be seen from the marae (traditional Maori meeting place).

This Maori whakatauki (proverb) refers to discipline. Someone who leaves rubbish everywhere has no discipline. 

  1. Hurihia to aroaro ki te ra tukuna to atarangi kia taka ki muri i a koe – Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.
  1. E koekoe te kōkō, e ketekete te kākā, e kūkū te kererū – The parson bird chatters, the parrot gabbles, the wood pigeon coos.

This Maori saying teaches that humans, like birds, each have their own unique characteristics. We all have our own strengths.

  1. Na te whakarongo me te titiro ka puta mai te korero – Through looking and listening we gain wisdom.
Famous Maori proverb which reads 'through looking and listening we gain wisdom'.
  1. Ka mate te kāinga tahi, ka ora te kāinga rua – When one house dies, a second lives.

This Maori saying can be used to mean that something good can emerge from misfortune.

  1. Te manu e kai i te miro, nōna te ngahere. Te manu e kai i te mātauranga, nōna te ao – The bird that feeds on the miro berry, theirs is the forest. The bird that feeds on the tree of knowledge, theirs is the world.
  1. E kore a muri e hokia – What is done is done.
  1. E kore te patiki e hoki ki tona puehu – The flounder fish does not return to his dust.

This saying means ‘do not make the same mistake twice’.

  1. Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui – Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.
  1. He manako te koura i kore ai – There are no crayfish as you set your heart on them.

This Maori proverb is similar to the English proverb ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket’.

  1. He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata – Goodwill towards others is a precious treasure.
  1. Whaowhia te kete mātauranga – Fill your basket of knowledge.
  1. Ma tini ma mano ka rapa te whai – Many hands make light work.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of teamwork. If we work together, we can complete tasks faster.

  1. Iti noa ana he pito mata – From the withered tree a flower blooms.
Famous Maori saying which reads 'from the withered tree a flower blooms'.
  1. Kotahi te kākano, he nui ngā hua o te rākau – A tree comes from one seed but bears many fruit.

Beautiful Maori Quotes & More Maori New Zealand Proverbs

Below I’ve listed a range of famous and inspirational Maori quotes and Maori New Zealand proverbs.

  1. He hono tangata e kore e motu; ka pa he taura waka e motu – Unlike a canoe rope, a human bond cannot be severed.
  1. Whatungarongaro te tangata toitū te whenua – As man disappears from sight, the land remains.
  1. Ka pū te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi – As an old net withers, another is remade.

This Maori quote references the Maori tradition of when an elder is no longer fit to lead, a healthier leader will take over and stand in his place.

  1. He aroha whakatō, he aroha puta mai – If kindness is sown then kindness you shall receive.
  1. Te amorangi ki mua, te hapai o ki muri – The leader at the front and the workers behind the scenes.

This Maori quote references the Maori protocol inside Maori meeting houses (marae). The speakers will lead out front and the workers are in the back making sure everything runs smoothly. Both jobs are equally important and without one, everything would fail. 

  1. Moe atu nga ringa raupo – Marry a man with calloused hands.

The meaning behind this quote is that calloused hands tend to be earned through hard work so you should marry someone who has a good work ethic.

  1. Kāhore taku toa i te toa takitahi, he toa takitini – We cannot succeed without the support of those around us.
Famous Maori saying which reads 'we cannot succeed without the support of those around us'.
  1. Tama tu tama ora, tama noho tama mate – An active person will remain healthy while a lazy one will become sick.

This Maori quote is used as encouragement to urge children to participate in exercise. 

  1. Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini – My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective.
  1. Waiho ma te tangata e mihi – Leave your praises for someone else.

This quote is referring to humbleness. You should refrain from praising yourself too much and instead praise others. 

  1. Aroha mai, aroha atu – Love received demands love returned.
  1. Ta te tamariki tana mahi wawahi tahā – It is the job of the children to smash the calabash. 

The calabash is a tool for the transportation of food and water. This proverb means that children will sometimes break important things (or rules) but it’s within their nature as they don’t understand the importance of it yet.

  1. Inā kei te mohio koe ko wai koe, I anga mai koe i hea, kei te mohio koe. Kei te anga atu ki hea – If you know who you are and where you are from then you will know where you are going.
  1. Ko taku reo taku ohooho, ko taku reo taku mapihi mauria – My language is my awakening, my language is the window to my soul.

This Maori quote emphasizes the importance of the Maori language and how it’s very important that we keep it alive.  

  1. Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua ko au – I am the land and the land is me.
Famous Maori quote which reads 'I am the land and the land is me'.
  1. Ki te kahore he whakakitenga ka ngaro te iwi – Without foresight or vision the people will be lost.

This famous Maori quote was said by Kingi Tawhiao Potatau te Wherwhero to show the importance of strong leadership.

  1. Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa – Let us keep close together, not far apart.
  1. Ka nui taku aroha ki a koe – My love for you knows no bounds.

This beautiful Maori quote about love can be said to someone that you really love.

  1. Ka mate kāinga tahi, ka ora kāinga rua – There is more than one way to achieve an objective.
  1. He pai te tirohanga ki nga mahara mo nga raa pahemo engari ka puta te maaramatanga i runga i te titiro whakamua – It’s fine to have recollections of the past but wisdom comes from being able to prepare opportunities for the future.
  1. Mauria te pono – Believe in yourself.
  1. Hapaitia te ara tika pumau ai te rangatiratanga mo nga uri whakatipu – Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations.
  1. Kia hora te marino, Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere te Kārohirohi i mua i tōu huarahi – May the calm be widespread, may the ocean glisten like a gemstone, may the shimmer of light dance across your path.
  1. Mau ano e to mai te ika ki a koe. Ki te tino wawata koe ki te ika ka haere mai ki a koe – You create your own luck. If you wish it, the fish will come.
  1. Kaua e hoki i te waewae tūtuki, ā, āpā anō hei te ūpoko pakaru – Do not turn back because of minor obstacles but press ahead to the desired goal.
  1. Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu – Adorn the bird with feathers to enable it to fly.
Famous Maori quote which reads 'adorn the bird with feathers to enable it to fly'.
  1. Kia ū ki te whakapono kia aroha tētahi ki tētahi – Hold strong to your beliefs and love one another.
  1. He wahi nui kei runga noa ake – There is always room at the top. 
  1. Poipoia te kakano kia puawai – Nurture the seed and it will blossom.
  1. E whiwhi ai koe i ngā hua o te moana me mākū koe – In order to obtain the fruits of the ocean you need to get wet. 
  1. Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini – I come not with my own strengths but bring with me the gifts, talents and strengths of my family, tribe and ancestors.

Best Maori Idioms & Maori Expressions

Below I’ve listed the most well-known Maori idioms and expressions. Many of these have hidden meanings. 

In the Maori language, idioms are called ‘kiwaha’.

  1. He kai kei aku ringa – There is food at the end of my hands.

This Maori idiom is said about a person who can use basic resources to create success.

  1. He mahi te ataa noho, e kii ana te wheke – It is the octopus who says sitting is working.

This Maori idiom is used to speak about someone who is lazy.

  1. E hoa ma, ina te ora o te tangata – My friends, this is the essence of life.

This idiom is used as an exclamation when someone is very happy or satisfied. It’s often used at a dinner table if you really like the meal you received. 

  1. He kotuku rerenga tahi – A white heron flies once.

This Maori idiom is used on an occasion when something very special or unusual happens. 

Famous Maori idiom which reads 'a white heron flies once'.
  1. Kua hinga te totara i te wao nui a Tane – The totara tree has fallen in the forest of Tane.

A totara tree is a huge native New Zealand tree that lives for hundreds of years. This Maori idiom is used when someone of great importance passes away.

  1. Hōhonu kaki, pāpaku nanab – A deep neck, but a shallow outcome.

This Maori idiom is used to refer to a lazy worker that offers little help.

  1. Me te wai korari – Like the honey of the flax flower.

This idiom is similar to the English version ‘as sweet as honey’.

  1. He tohe puruhi – A persistent flea.

This Maori idiom is used to describe someone who is very persistent.

Thanks for reading this post on the best Maori quotes about life, famous Maori sayings and fascinating Maori whakatauki proverbs.

These Maori quotes & sayings give an interesting insight into the Maori beliefs and language.

I hope you found your favorite quote!

Related Posts: