Karakia
Karakia are prayers, chants, or incantations used to open and close gatherings, give thanks, or seek protection and guidance. They are an essential part of te ao Māori, connecting people to the spiritual world, to one another, and to the natural environment.
Learn Karakia
The purpose of this topic is to help you learn, understand, and confidently recite karakia. Through repeated practice and the use of visual hints, you’ll strengthen both memory and pronunciation, while deepening your appreciation of the role karakia play in Māori culture and daily life.
Whakataka Te Hau
A karakia that prepares and clears the way for new beginnings. It calls for calm winds and settled weather, symbolising readiness for learning, work, or collective activity.
Ko Te Reo o Ngā Manu
A poetic karakia that celebrates the voices of the birds – a metaphor for the beauty and life of te reo Māori. It encourages listening, expression, and connection to the natural world.
Unuhia, Unuhia
A karakia whakamutunga (closing blessing) that releases the tapu and restores balance. It brings calm and clarity as people return to the everyday world, marking the transition from sacred space back to ordinary life.
Nau Mai e Ngā Hua
A traditional karakia of thanksgiving for food and sustenance. It welcomes the fruits of the earth and sea, acknowledging the abundance provided by nature.
E Ihowa, Whakapaingia
A Christian karakia of blessing and gratitude, often said before meals. It asks for God’s blessing on the food and those who share it.