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Te Reo Māori for Absolute Beginners • Lesson 1 of 8
Ngā Oro
Sounds and pronunciation
Learn the sound system of te reo Māori, practise short and long vowels, and begin pronouncing familiar words with care and confidence.
Whāinga AkoLearning goals
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Recognise the sounds
Identify the five vowels, long vowels, consonants, “ng” and “wh”.
Use macrons
Understand that ā, ē, ī, ō and ū are held longer and must be written accurately.
Build syllables
Break Māori words into clear vowel-ending sound groups.
Practise respectfully
Listen first, repeat carefully and remain open to local pronunciation guidance.
The Five Short Vowels
Each Māori vowel has a clear, consistent sound. Select Listen to hear an example word.
Long Vowels and Macrons
A macron—the line above a vowel—tells you to hold that vowel sound for longer.
Māori Consonants
The consonants are h, k, m, n, p, r, t and w, plus the two-letter sounds “ng” and “wh”.
| Sound | Example | English meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| h | hau | wind | |
| k | kupu | word | |
| m | mana | authority / standing | |
| n | nui | big / important | |
| p | puku | stomach | |
| r | reo | language / voice | |
| t | tahi | one | |
| w | wai | water | |
| ng | ngā | the — plural | |
| wh | whānau | family / extended family |
Building Māori Syllables
Māori syllables finish with a vowel. Say each sound group clearly, then join the groups smoothly.
A-o-te-a-ro-aAotearoa — New Zealand
whā-nauwhānau — family
ki-a o-rakia ora — hello / thank you
ngā mi-hingā mihi — thanks / acknowledgements
He Wāhi, He Ingoa
A place and a name. Practising local place names connects pronunciation with the whenua around us.
Whakarongo, Kōrero, Whakahāngai
Listen, speak and compare. Use this five-step practice with each word on the page.
- Listen: select the audio button and listen without speaking.
- Repeat slowly: copy the vowel length and every syllable.
- Repeat naturally: join the syllables without rushing.
- Record yourself: use your phone and compare your recording with the model.
- Use real names: practise one local place name or person’s name respectfully.
Beginner Phrase Practice
The English translation is directly beneath each phrase.
Tikanga: Pronouncing Names with Care
A person’s name and a place name carry identity and connection. A genuine effort shows respect.
Listen first
Ask the speaker to say the name naturally, then listen before repeating it.
Keep the macrons
Write and say long vowels accurately. Do not treat macrons as optional decoration.
Follow local voices
Pronunciation can vary between iwi and rohe. Respect mana whenua and local usage.
Knowledge Check
Open each question after choosing your answer.
1. What does a macron tell you to do?
Hold the vowel sound for longer. The macron is part of the correct spelling.
2. Which English word contains a sound similar to Māori “ng”?
Singer. In te reo Māori, this sound can also appear at the beginning of a word, as in ngā.
3. What sound does every Māori syllable finish with?
A vowel sound.
4. Can a macron affect a word’s meaning?
Yes. For example, wahine means woman and wāhine means women.
5. Is there only one pronunciation of “wh” everywhere in Aotearoa?
No. Pronunciation varies between iwi and rohe, so follow local speakers and mana whenua guidance.