Greetings and Mihi

hello / hi / thank you

An iconic, versatile informal greeting or expression of gratitude. It literally translates to 'be well/healthy' and is suitable for greeting anyone in everyday settings.

Kia ora, e hoa! Kei te pēhea koe i tēnei ata?

Hello, my friend! How are you this morning?

greetings to you (1 person)

A formal greeting specifically addressed to one person. It literally acknowledges 'there you are' with respect and recognition.

Tēnā koe, e te rangatira, mō tō manaaki i a mātou.

Thank you, sir, for looking after us.

greetings to you both

A formal greeting directed specifically at two people, utilizing the dual pronoun 'kōrua'.

Tēnā kōrua, e ngā kaumātua, haere mai ki roto.

Greetings to you two elders, come inside.

greetings to you all (3+)

A formal greeting addressed to a group of three or more people, making use of the plural pronoun 'koutou'.

Tēnā koutou e ngā kaimahi mō tō koutou manawanui.

Thank you all, workers, for your dedication.

greetings to us all

An inclusive formal greeting used by a speaker to address everyone present, including themselves ('tātou'), creating unity.

Tēnā tātou i tēnei rā whakahirahira mō te iwi.

Greetings to us all on this important day for the tribe.

greetings to everyone (3+)

An expansive, formal greeting that combines 'tēnā koutou' with 'katoa' (all/every) to address an entire assembled group without exception.

Tēnā koutou katoa e whakaeke mai ana ki runga i te marae.

Greetings to everyone who is coming onto the marae.

hello to you two

An informal, friendly greeting addressed specifically to two people using 'kia ora' with the dual pronoun 'kōrua'.

Kia ora kōrua! I reira kōrua i te hui?

Hello you two! Were you both at the meeting?

hello everyone (3+)

A common, informal greeting addressed to a group of three or more people.

Kia ora koutou e ngā tamariki, noho mai ki raro.

Hello, children, please sit down.

hello us all

An inclusive informal greeting that encompasses both the speaker and the listeners present in the room.

Kia ora tātou i te ata nei, ka tīmata tātou i te ako.

Hello us all this morning, we will begin learning.

goodbye / farewell / cheers

A friendly farewell or parting well-wish, where the particle 'rā' shifts the greeting into a warm sign-off.

Ka haere ahau ki te tāone, kia ora rā!

I'm off to town, goodbye!

hello again / welcome back

A friendly greeting used when seeing someone again after a short break or earlier encounter, adding the particle 'anō' (again, also) to 'kia ora'.

Kia ora anō, e hoa, i hoki wawe mai koe i te tāone!

Hello again, my friend, you came back quickly from town!

good morning

A widely used, informal transliteration of 'morning' in Māori, ideal for casual everyday greetings during the early part of the day.

Mōrena! Kei te hiahia koe ki te kawhe wera?

Good morning! Would you like a hot coffee?

good morning to you

A direct morning greeting aimed specifically at one person ('koe'), combining 'mōrena' with the singular second-person pronoun.

Mōrena koe, e koro! I moe pai koe?

Good morning to you, Grandpa! Did you sleep well?

good morning to you both

A morning greeting addressed specifically to two people using the dual pronoun 'kōrua'.

Mōrena kōrua, kua rite te parakuihi mā kōrua.

Good morning you two, breakfast is ready for you both.

good morning to you all

A morning greeting directed at a group of three or more people, making use of the plural pronoun 'koutou'.

Mōrena koutou e te akomanga, pānuitia ngā kupu o te rā.

Good morning to you all, class, read the words of the day.

good morning, my friend

A warm, personal morning greeting combining 'mōrena' with 'e hoa' (friend), ideal for close companions or colleagues.

Mōrena e hoa, kia pai tō rā i te mahi!

Good morning my friend, have a good day at work!

good morning / peaceful morning

A Māori morning greeting meaning 'peaceful morning', used alongside the loanword mōrena.

Ata mārie ki a koutou katoa i tēnei rā whakahirahira.

Good morning to you all on this special day.

good morning to you (1 person)

A respectful, traditional morning greeting addressed directly to a single individual ('koe').

Ata mārie koe, e te kaiako, tēnā koe mō tō āwhina.

Good morning to you, teacher, thank you for your help.

good afternoon

A standard greeting used in the afternoon hours, combining 'ahiahi' (afternoon) with 'pai' (good/pleasant).

Ahiahi pai, e te whānau, kōrero mai mō tō koutou rā.

Good afternoon, family, tell me about your day.

good night / peaceful night

A traditional evening farewell or goodnight wish meaning 'peaceful night', spoken when parting at night or before going to sleep.

Kua pō te rā, pō mārie ki a koutou katoa, me moe tātou.

It is night time, good night to you all, let's sleep.

see you / goodbye

A popular everyday phrase used to say goodbye or see you later. It is a shortened form of 'ka kite i a koe' (see you).

Ka kite! Ka hoki ahau ki te kāinga i nāianei.

See you! I am returning home now.

see you again / goodbye for now

A common farewell meaning 'see you again', incorporating the adverbial particle 'anō' (again, also).

Kia ora mō te kōrero, ka kite anō i a koe!

Thank you for the chat, see you again!

see you tomorrow

A specific farewell phrase used when parting with someone you expect to see the following day ('āpōpō').

Ka kite āpōpō i te kura, e hoa!

See you tomorrow at school, my friend!

see you in the morning

A time-specific farewell used when parting for the evening, meaning you will meet again in the morning ('ā te ata').

Pō mārie ki a koutou, ka kite ā te ata.

Good night to you all, see you in the morning.

see you later / see you afterwards

A flexible parting phrase used when you plan to see someone later on or in the future ('ā muri ake').

Kei te haere ahau ki te mahi, ka kite ā muri ake.

I am going to work, see you later on.

see you (1 person)

A complete, grammatically explicit farewell addressed directly to one person ('koe').

Kia pai tō rā, ka kite i a koe!

Have a good day, see you!

see you both (2 people)

A farewell phrase addressed specifically to two people using the dual pronoun 'kōrua'.

Ka kite i a kōrua i te hākari i te pō nei!

See you both at the feast tonight!

see you all (3+ people)

A farewell phrase addressed to a group of three or more people using the plural pronoun 'koutou'.

Kia ora mō te toro mai, ka kite i a koutou!

Thank you for visiting, see you all!

goodbye (to someone leaving)

A traditional farewell said specifically by the person remaining behind to someone who is departing. It literally means 'go on your way'.

Haere rā, kia pai tō haerenga ki te pito o te motu.

Goodbye, have a good journey to the end of the island.

goodbye, my friend

A warm, traditional farewell said to a friend who is leaving or departing on a journey.

Haere rā e hoa, mā te Atua koe e tiaki.

Goodbye my friend, may god protect you.

farewell to you two departing

A formal or traditional farewell spoken by someone staying behind to two people who are departing, using the dual pronoun 'kōrua'.

Haere rā kōrua, kia āhuru tō kōrua haerenga ki te kāinga.

Farewell you two, may your journey home be safe and comfortable.

farewell to you all departing

A group farewell uttered by a host or person staying behind to three or more people who are leaving.

Haere rā koutou, e te whānau, hoki mai anō ā te raumati.

Farewell to you all, family, come back again in the summer.

farewell, honored leader

A highly respectful farewell uttered to an esteemed elder, chief, or respected leader who is taking their leave.

Haere rā e te rangatira, mā te Atua koe e manaaki.

Farewell honored leader, may God bless and protect you.

goodbye (to someone staying)

A traditional farewell spoken by a departing person to someone who is remaining behind. It literally translates to 'stay there'.

E noho rā, ka hoki ahau ki taku whare.

Goodbye (stay well), I am returning to my house.

goodbye, my friend (staying)

A warm, personal sign-off uttered by a traveler or departer to a friend who is staying at the location.

E noho rā e hoa, ka waea atu ahau āpōpō.

Goodbye my friend, I will call you tomorrow.

goodbye to you two staying

Spoken by someone departing to two people who are staying put, incorporating the dual second-person pronoun 'kōrua'.

E noho rā kōrua, tiakina te kāinga i taku ngaro.

Goodbye you two, look after the home in my absence.

goodbye to you all staying

A sign-off spoken by a departing guest or traveler to three or more people who are remaining behind.

E noho rā koutou, kia ora mō te manaaki i a mātou.

Goodbye to you all, thank you for taking care of us.

goodbye for now / see you

An informal parting phrase said to someone staying where they are, literally meaning 'be there [where you are]'.

Hei konā, ka hoki mai ahau ā te ahiahi.

Goodbye for now, I'll be back in the afternoon.

farewell then / goodbye for now

An emphatic version of 'hei konā', adding the particle 'rā' for additional warmth when taking leave of someone remaining behind.

Hei konā rā, kia pai tō koutou ata nei.

Farewell then, have a good morning.

goodbye for now, my friend

A friendly, conversational sign-off to a companion or peer who is remaining behind.

Hei konā e hoa, ka kite anō i a koe i te pō nei.

Goodbye for now my friend, see you again tonight.

welcome

A foundational phrase of hospitality used to welcome visitors, guests, or participants to a venue or gathering.

Nau mai ki te ako i te reo Māori i tēnei rā.

Welcome to learning the Māori language today.

welcome indeed / warm welcome

An emphatic and warm welcoming phrase adding the particle 'rā' to express heartfelt hospitality and embrace.

Nau mai rā, e te rangatira, ki te pokapū o te pā.

A warm welcome to you, distinguished guest, to the heart of the village.

welcome to the house

A hospitable phrase extending a warm greeting to guests as they enter a home or meeting hall ('whare').

Nau mai ki te whare, e noho ki konei.

Welcome to the house, sit here.

welcome to our home

A welcoming expression inviting visitors into 'tō mātou kāinga' (our home — mātou excludes the listener).

Nau mai ki tō mātou kāinga! He tī mā koutou?

Welcome to our home! Would you all like some tea?

welcome to the marae

A welcome to manuhiri (guests) arriving at the marae.

Nau mai ki te marae, e te rōpū, mō te wānanga o tēnei wiki.

Welcome to the marae, group, for this week's wānanga.

welcome / come here

One of the most widely recognized Māori greetings and invitations, literally meaning 'come here' or 'welcome'.

Haere mai, e te iwi, ka kōrero tātou mō te kaupapa.

Welcome, everyone, we will discuss the project.

welcome indeed / do come in

An inviting and enthusiastic greeting, using 'rā' to add warmth when ushering guests closer or inside.

Haere mai rā, e noho ki te wharekai mō te hākari.

Do come in, sit in the dining hall for the feast.

come inside / welcome inside

A practical and polite invitation directing arriving guests to step indoors out of the elements.

Haere mai ki roto, kei te pupuhi te hau i waho.

Come inside, the wind is blowing outside.

welcome to the meeting

An encouraging greeting welcoming attendees, participants, or community members to a gathering or conference ('hui').

Haere mai ki te hui a te hapori i tēnei pō.

Welcome to the community meeting tonight.

welcome, my friend

A warm, informal welcome addressed to a friend or close acquaintance upon their arrival.

Haere mai e hoa, kua roa au e tatari ana ki a koe!

Welcome my friend, I have been waiting for you for a long time!

greetings to you all, family

A formal yet warm greeting addressed to an assembled family group, close community, or audience addressed collectively as 'whānau'.

Tēnā koutou e te whānau, nau mai ki tēnei hākari whakahirahira.

Greetings to you all, family, welcome to this special feast.

greetings to you, visitors

A formal greeting specifically welcoming guests or visitors ('manuhiri') who have gathered for a ceremony, event, or stay.

Tēnā koutou e ngā manuhiri e noho mai nā i runga i te marae.

Greetings to you, visitors, who are sitting there on the marae.

greetings to you, leaders

A respectful, formal salutation acknowledging elders, chiefs, or distinguished community leaders ('rangatira') in attendance.

Tēnā koutou e ngā rangatira mō tō koutou tautoko i te reo Māori.

Greetings to you leaders for your support of the Māori language.

greetings to you all, friends

A polite formal greeting addressed to a group of friends, peers, or colleagues assembled together.

Tēnā koutou e ngā hoa, ka pānui ahau i ngā kōrero o te ata.

Greetings to you all, friends, I will read the morning announcements.

greetings to everyone gathered here

An inclusive, formal opening address greeting every individual gathered ('e huihui nei') in a room or assembly.

Tēnā koutou katoa e huihui nei ki te matapaki i te kaupapa hou.

Greetings to everyone gathered here to discuss the new project.

thanks / greetings

A versatile and widely used expression of gratitude or acknowledgment, ideal as an email sign-off or everyday thank you.

Ngā mihi mō tō āwhina i a ahau i te ata nei.

Thanks for your help to me this morning.

many thanks / warm regards

An expanded form of gratitude or acknowledgment adding 'nui' (great/large), frequently used in formal correspondence or heartfelt appreciation.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koe mō ngā taonga ātaahua.

Many thanks to you for the beautiful gifts.

warm greetings / warm regards

A affectionate greeting or sign-off meaning 'warm wishes/acknowledgments', commonly used in correspondence and speeches.

Ngā mihi mahana ki te whānau katoa i tēnei wā o te tau.

Warm greetings to the whole family at this time of the year.

loving greetings / heartfelt sympathy

A deeply compassionate expression of love, care, or sympathy, often sent during times of sorrow, affection, or deep respect.

Ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou i tēnei wā pōuri.

Heartfelt sympathy to you all at this sad time.

thanks to you (1 person)

A direct personal expression of thanks or appreciation addressed specifically to one individual ('koe').

Ngā mihi ki a koe, e hoa, mō te mahi tahi me ahau.

Thanks to you, my friend, for working together with me.

thanks to you all (3+)

A plural expression of appreciation addressed directly to a group of three or more people.

Ngā mihi ki a koutou mō te whakapaipai i te wharenui i te ata nei.

Thanks to you all for tidying the meeting house this morning.

thanks for your help

A standard, polite expression used to thank a single person ('tō') specifically for their assistance or aid.

Ngā mihi mō tō āwhina ki te tō i te waka ki uta.

Thanks for your help pulling the canoe ashore.

thanks for your support

An expression of gratitude acknowledging someone's backing, advocacy, or ongoing support for a cause or effort.

Ngā mihi mō tō tautoko i taku kaupapa whakaora reo.

Thanks for your support with my language revitalization initiative.

thanks for your hospitality

A culturally rich expression thanking a host or individual for their generous care, hospitality, and generosity.

Ngā mihi mō tō manaaki i a mātou i te wā o te pōwhiri.

Thanks for your hospitality to us during the welcome ceremony.

thanks for your time

A polite phrase used at the end of meetings, interviews, or conversations to show appreciation for someone giving their time.

Ngā mihi mō tō wā ki te kōrero mō te kura hōu.

Thanks for your time to speak about the new school.

with your food basket and my food basket

The opening of the whakataukī 'Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi' — with your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive. It speaks of what people achieve when each contributes.

Kia ora rawa atu mō tō āwhina. Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.

Thank you so much for your help. With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.

great thanks / deep appreciation

A widely used formal phrase expressing deep gratitude or substantial acknowledgment during speeches and written communications.

Ka nui te mihi ki te komiti mō tō koutou manawanui.

Great thanks to the committee for your perseverance.

my heartfelt thanks

A personal variant of 'ka nui te mihi', explicitly using the possessive 'aku' to express one's own abundant personal gratitude.

Ka nui aku mihi ki a koe mō ngā kupu whakatenatena.

My heartfelt thanks to you for the encouraging words.

here is the greeting / acknowledging you

A formal opening or transitional speech formula used on the marae or in formal writing to extend greetings and recognition.

Tēnei te mihi ki ngā ringawera mō ā koutou mahi.

Here is my acknowledgement to the kitchen workers for your work.

here is my greeting to you all

A formal speech formula used to direct greetings and acknowledgments to a group of three or more people.

Tēnei te mihi ki a koutou kua tae mai i tēnei ata.

Here is my greeting to you all who have arrived this morning.

here is my greeting to you

A formal or deliberate opening phrase expressing personal acknowledgment to a single individual.

Tēnei te mihi ki a koe mō tō mahi rangatira mō te iwi.

Here is my greeting to you for your honorable work for the people.

who are you?

A direct equative interrogative phrase asking for a person's name or identity.

Kia ora, ko wai koe? He kanohi hou koe ki konei.

Hello, who are you? You're a new face around here.

who is he/she?

An interrogative structure used to inquire about the identity of a third-person singular individual.

Ko wai ia e kōrero ana ki te kaiako i waho?

Who is she speaking to the teacher outside?

what is your name?

The standard question used to ask someone their name, using the interrogative pronoun 'wai' (who) reserved for proper names.

Ata mārie, ko wai tō ingoa e hoa?

Good morning, what is your name, my friend?

what is my name?

A rhetorical or playful question asking for the speaker's own name, featuring the singular first-person possessive 'tōku'.

E mōhio ana koe ko wai tōku ingoa?

Do you know what my name is?

who are you (plural)?

An interrogative phrase used to ask a group of three or more people for their identities or collective origin.

Kia ora, ko wai koutou? Nō hea koutou?

Hello, who are you all? Where are you from?

who are all of you?

An expansive question asking an entire gathered group, without exception, to identify themselves.

Tēnā koutou, ko wai koutou katoa e noho mai nā?

Greetings, who are all of you sitting over there?

who is your family?

A common inquiry into a person's family background, lineage, or relatives.

Kei te hiahia ahau ki te mōhio, ko wai tō whānau i te pā?

I would like to know, who is your family in the village?

what is your tribe?

A fundamental cultural question asking an individual about their tribal affiliation or nation.

Pātai atu ki a ia, ko wai tō iwi?

Ask him, what is your tribe?

what is your sub-tribe?

An essential cultural question inquiring about a person's kin group or sub-tribe ('hapū'). It uses the interrogative pronoun 'wai' (who), which is used in Māori when asking for the name or identity of proper entities.

I pātai au ki a ia, ko wai tō hapū i te taha o tō whaea?

I asked him, what is your hapū on your mother's side?

who is your friend?

A common conversational question asking someone to identify their companion or friend ('hoa').

Kia ora, ko wai tō hoa e tū mai nā i te taha o te waka?

Hello, who is your friend standing over there by the car?

who is your teacher?

An interrogative phrase asking an individual to identify their teacher or instructor ('kaiako').

Ko wai tō kaiako mō te reo Māori i tēnei tau?

Who is your teacher for the Māori language this year?

who is your leader?

A formal or organizational question asking for the identity of a leader, boss, or chief ('rangatira').

Me mōhio ahau, ko wai tō rangatira i roto i tēnei mahi?

I need to know, who is your leader in this work?

who is your coworker?

A practical question asking someone to identify their colleague or work partner ('hoa mahi').

Ko wai tō hoa mahi e āwhina ana i a koe ki te whakarite i te hui?

Who is your coworker helping you organize the meeting?

who is the person?

An inquiry asking for the specific identity of a particular person or individual ('te tangata').

Ko wai te tangata e kōrero ana ki te kaiwhakahaere i te ata nei?

Who is the person speaking to the manager this morning?

who are these people?

An interrogative phrase used to ask about the identity of a group of people nearby, utilizing the plural demonstrative 'ēnei' (these near me).

Nau mai ki te kāinga, ko wai ēnei i haere mai i tō taha?

Welcome home, who are these people who came along with you?

who are those people (by you)?

An inquiry asking for the identities of people situated near the listener, incorporating the plural demonstrative 'ēnā' (those near you).

Ko wai ēnā e tū mai nā i waho i tō kūaha?

Who are those people standing outside your door?

who is that over there?

A question asking for the identity of a singular person positioned away from both the speaker and listener, using 'tērā' (that over there).

Ko wai tērā e hīkoi mai rā i te huarahi?

Who is that walking along the road over there?

who am I?

A question about one's own identity, as when someone does not recognise you.

Kāore ia i te mōhio ko wai au.

He doesn't know who I am.

who are the two of us?

An interrogative structure asking about the identity or role of the speaker and another person (excluding the listener), using the dual exclusive pronoun 'māua'.

I pātai atu ahau ki te kaiwhakahaere, ko wai māua i roto i tēnei kaupapa?

I asked the manager, who are the two of us in this project?

who are you and I?

An interrogative phrase inquiring about the mutual identity, relationship, or standing of the speaker and the listener, using the dual inclusive pronoun 'tāua'.

Me whakaaro tāua, ko wai tāua ki te kōrero mō tēnei take uaua?

We should reflect, who are you and I to speak on this difficult matter?

who are we (exclusive)?

An interrogative phrase asking about the collective identity, origin, or lineage of a group that excludes the listener, using the plural exclusive pronoun 'mātou'.

Kāore rātou i te mōhio ko wai mātou.

They don't know who we are.

who are we (inclusive)?

A foundational, inclusive question inquiring into the collective identity or shared unity of everyone present, including the speaker and listeners.

Ko wai tātou? He whānau kotahi tātou.

Who are we? We are one family.

who are they?

An interrogative clause asking for the identities, background, or group affiliation of a third-person plural group ('rātou').

Ko wai rātou e noho mai nā i te paepae o te wharenui?

Who are they sitting there on the orator's bench of the meeting house?

I am Hemi

A basic self-introduction with the identifying particle 'ko' before the name: ko + name + au (I). A name directly after ko takes no personal article a.

Kia ora, ko Hemi au, te kaiako hou o tēnei akomanga.

Hello, I am Hemi, the new teacher of this class.

my name is Mere

A self-introduction giving one's name: ko + name + tōku ingoa (my name). Ingoa is o-category, so tōku (or neutral taku), never tāku.

Tēnā koe, ko Mere tōku ingoa, nō Tairāwhiti au.

Greetings, my name is Mere, I'm from Tairāwhiti.

see you later / in due time

A widely used, idiomatic farewell meaning 'until next time' or 'time will tell'. It literally translates to 'by/for the time'.

Kia pai tō rā i te mahi, mā te wā, e hoa!

Have a good day at work, see you later, my friend!

until tomorrow / see you tomorrow

A conversational sign-off and temporal farewell phrase used when parting until the following day ('āpōpō').

Kua mutu ā tātou mahi mō te rā nei, hei āpōpō!

Our work for today is finished, see you tomorrow!

welcome, come enter

A compound, highly expressive welcoming formula combining two foundational greetings to extend a warm and open-hearted invitation to guests.

Nau mai, haere mai ki tō mātou marae i tēnei ata ātaahua.

Welcome, come enter our marae on this beautiful morning.

where are you from?

A core introductory question asking where someone is from or belongs, answered with nō: 'Nō Porirua au.' People may answer with a home town or with where their whānau is from.

Kia ora! Nō hea koe? Nō Ōtautahi au.

Hello! Where are you from? I'm from Christchurch.

thank you very much

Strong thanks: kia ora intensified with rawa atu (very much).

Kia ora rawa atu mō te kai reka, e whaea.

Thank you very much for the delicious food, Whaea.