These sounds files help you get familiar with Māori pronunciation.
Vowels
Sing - the ng sound
R
Double vowels
Signage with sound files
| English with MP3 sample | Meaning | Māori name | Pronounciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch City Libraries | Descriptive: Christchurch City baskets of knowledge and learning | Ngā Kete Wānanga-o-Ōtautahi | Ngā Ke-te Wā-na-nga o Ō-tau-ta-hi |
| Bestsellers | Descriptive: Famous / popular writings | Ngā Tuhinga Rongonui | Ngā Tu-hi-nga Ro-ngo-nu-i |
| Catalogue | Descriptive: List of treasures | Rārangi Taonga | Rā-ra-ngi Tao-nga |
| Children's Library | Traditional: House of entertainment | Whare Rēhia | Wha-re Rē-hi-a |
| Community Information | Descriptive: Village announcements | Ngā Pūkaeo o te Kāinga | Ngā Pū-ka-ea o te Ka-i-nga |
| Computers | Descriptive: Electric brains | Ngā Rorohiko | Ngā Ro-ro-hi-ko |
| Fiction | Descriptive: Constructed topics | Take Waihanga | Ta-ke Wai-ha-nga |
| Gardening | Traditional: Cultivation activities | Mahi ā Huawhenua | Ma-hi aa Hu-a-whe-nu-a |
| Homework Zone | Descriptive: Area for work done at home | Wāhi Mahi-Kāinga | Wā-hi Ma-hi Kāi-nga |
| Information | Descriptive: Spring that gives forth words of welcome | Puna Kōrero Whakatau | Pu-na Kō-re-ro Wha-ka-tau |
| Issues | Descriptive: Place things are given out | Wāhi Hoatu | Wā-hi Ho-a-tu |
| Large Print | Descriptive: Large writings | Ngā Tuhinga nui | Ngā Tu-hi-nga nu-i |
| Librarian | Descriptive: Main book person | Kai - Pukapuka Matua | Kai-pu-ka-pu-ka Ma-tu-a |
| Libraries Manager | Descriptive: Crown of the Head - person in charge | Tumuaki | Tu-mu-a-ki |
| Library Assistant | Descriptive: Support individual to main book person | Kōpuka Kai-Tuarā | Kō-pu-ka Kai-tu-a-rā |
| Magazines | Transliterated term | Ngā Mōheni | Ngā Mō-he-ni |
| Maori Resource Centre (Central City) | Descriptive: Maori Greenstone Treasures of New Zealand | Ngā Pounamu Māori o Aotearoa | Nga Pou-na-mu Mā-o-ri o Ao-tea-ro-a |
| Membership | Descriptive: Joining place | Wāhi Tūhonotanga | Wa-hi Tū-ho-no-ta-nga |
| Music | Descriptive: Sound treasures | Ngā Taonga Pūoro | Ngā Tao-nga Pū-o-ro |
| New Books | Descriptive: Books that are new | Ngā Pukapuka Hou | Ngā Pu-ka-pu-ka Hou |
| Newspapers | Descriptive: Written announcements | Nga Pūkaea ā Tuhinga | Ngā Pū-ka-ea aa Tu-hi-nga |
| Ngā Taonga Māori Collection | Maori treasures | Ngā Taonga Māori | Ngā Tao-nga Māo-ri |
| Non-fiction | Descriptive: Special topics | Take Motuhake | Ta-ke Mo-tu-ha-ke |
| Paperbacks | Descriptive: Soft coverings | Ngā Uhi Ngohe | Ngā U-hi Ngo-hi |
| Recent Returns | Descriptive: New returns | Ngā Hokinga Mai | Ngā Ho-ki-nga Hou |
| Reference | Descriptive: Words seen before | Kōrero Whakakitenga | Kō-re-ro Wha-ka-ri-te-nga |
| Returns | Descriptive: Repetitively come back | Ngā Hokinga Mai | Ngā Ho-ki-nga Ma-i |
| Self Issue | Descriptive: It is for you to despatch | Māu e Tuku | Mā-u e Tu-ku |
| Sport | Traditional: Physical exercise and sports | Hākinakina | Hā-ki-na-ki-na |
| Toilets | Descriptive: Small houses | Ngā Whare iti | Ngā Wha-re i-ti |
| Travel | Descriptive: Movements in groups | Ngā Takahaere | Ngā Ta-ka-hae-re |
| Young Adults | Descriptive: Area for teenagers | Wāhi Rangatahi | Wā-hi Ra-nga-ta-hi |
Tūranga floor names
| Full floor name with MP3 sample | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| He Hononga | Connection, Ground level | He Ho-no-nga |
| Hapori | Community, Level 1 | Ha-po-ri |
| Tuakiri | Identity, Level 2 | Tu-a-ki-ri |
| Tūhuratanga | Discovery, Level 3 | Tū-hu-ra-ta-nga |
| Auahatanga | Creativity, Level 4 | Au-a-ha-ta-nga |