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Te Reo Māori for Absolute Beginners • Lesson 8 of 8
He Kōrero Māmā
A simple conversation
Bring together your greetings, introductions, numbers, whānau words, questions and locations in short everyday conversations.
Whāinga AkoLearning goals
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Open a conversation
Choose a greeting and introduce yourself clearly.
Keep it going
Ask a simple question and respond with familiar phrases.
Ask for help
Request repetition when you do not understand.
Close respectfully
Choose a farewell that matches who is leaving or staying.
Your Conversation Toolkit
These familiar phrases can form the beginning, middle and end of a conversation.
| Purpose | Te reo Māori | English | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greet | Kia ora. | Hello. | |
| Give your name | Ko Hana tōku ingoa. | My name is Hana. | |
| Ask a name | Ko wai tō ingoa? | What is your name? | |
| Ask how someone is | Kei te pēhea koe? | How are you? | |
| Ask where | Kei hea? | Where is it? | |
| Ask for repetition | Aroha mai, kōrero anō. | Sorry, say it again. | |
| Thank | Ngā mihi. | Thank you / acknowledgements. | |
| Farewell | Haere rā. | Goodbye to someone leaving. |
Conversation 1: Meeting Someone
Practise this exchange, then replace the names with your own.
Conversation 2: Whānau and Numbers
Use family vocabulary and the people-number pattern from earlier lessons.
Conversation 3: Asking Where
Combine a polite opening, a location question and a thank you.
Conversation 4: Leaving
Remember that the farewell depends on who is leaving and who is staying.
When You Need Help
A conversation does not fail because you ask for repetition. These phrases keep it going.
He Wāhi, He Kōrero
Every conversation happens within relationships and place. Listen to the people and reo around you.
Tikanga: Relationship Before Performance
Speaking te reo Māori is not a performance to win. It is a way to communicate, acknowledge people and build relationships.
Listen generously
Give people time to speak and avoid interrupting. Meaning includes tone, context and the relationship between speakers.
Use what you understand
Do not copy formal or ceremonial language without knowing its meaning and setting. Simple, genuine reo is valuable.
Keep learning locally
This course is a beginning. Continue with kaiako, fluent speakers, whānau, iwi resources and local pronunciation guidance.
Tō Wero Whakamutunga
Your final challenge. Build and practise a one-minute beginner conversation.
- Open: greet one person, two people or a group.
- Introduce: say your name and where you are from.
- Ask: use at least two question words.
- Respond: include one number, whānau word or location phrase.
- Recover: use a repetition phrase if needed.
- Close: thank the listener and choose the correct farewell.
Final Knowledge Check
Open each question after choosing your answer.
1. How do you ask someone’s name?
Ko wai tō ingoa?
2. How do you say, “There are five people in my family”?
Tokorima ngā tāngata i tōku whānau.
3. What can you say when you do not understand?
Kāore au i te mārama, or ask Aroha mai, kōrero anō.
4. You are staying and the other person is leaving. What do you say?
Haere rā.
5. What is the most important next step after this beginner course?
Keep listening, speaking and learning with appropriate local guidance. Use simple reo regularly and respectfully.
Kua Oti!You have finished!
Complete this checklist, then return to the course overview or your student dashboard.