Language/Maori/Vocabulary/Animals
Welcome Māori language learners!
In today's lesson, we'll learn some useful vocabulary related to "Animals".
New Zealand is a country known for its unique and diverse natural environment, with many of its animal species found nowhere else on the planet.
Happy learning!
Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Vegetables & City.
Facts: Main Animals in New Zealand[edit | edit source]
New Zealand is home to a diverse range of animals, many of which are found nowhere else on earth. Some of the most iconic animals living in New Zealand include:
- Kiwi bird: The Kiwi bird is a flightless bird and the national symbol of New Zealand. There are five species of Kiwi in New Zealand, each with its unique characteristics.
- Kea parrot: The Kea is the world's only alpine parrot and is known for its curious and mischievous nature.
- Humpback whale: Humpback whales migrate to New Zealand's waters every year and are known for their spectacular displays of breaching and tail slapping.
- Sperm whale: Sperm whales are the largest predator on earth and can be found year-round in New Zealand's waters.
- Fur seal: New Zealand fur seals are a common sight on the country's coastline, and visitors can often see them basking in the sun or swimming in the ocean.
- Takahe: The Takahe is a large flightless bird that was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1948.
- Kakapo parrot: The Kakapo is a critically endangered parrot that is only found in New Zealand. It is the world's heaviest parrot and is known for its distinctively owl-like appearance.
kararehe - animal[edit | edit source]
Māori | English |
---|---|
tākuta kararehe | veterinary surgeon |
kurī | dog |
punua/kūao kurī, papi [UK] | puppy |
ngeru | cat |
punua ngeru/poti | kitten |
kiore | rat |
mauihi [UK] | mouse |
kāihe | donkey, (ass) |
hōiho [UK] | horse |
hōiho uwha | mare |
punua hōiho | foal, (colt) |
poniponi [UK] | pony |
ōkiha [UK] | ox |
pūru [UK] | bull |
kau [UK] | cow |
kāwhe [UK] | calf |
hipi [UK] | sheep |
reme [UK] | lamb |
nanenane
pirikoti [UK] |
goat
Billy-goat |
poaka [UK/FR] | pig |
rāpeti [UK]
hea [UK] |
rabbit
hare |
kamiriona | mole |
hetiheti [UK] | hedgehog |
kīrera [UK] | squirrel |
pōkiha [UK] | fox |
wūruhi | wolf |
pea [UK] | bear |
manu - bird[edit | edit source]
Māori | English |
---|---|
kōhanga | nest |
kiwi | kiwi |
pouākai, ēkara [UK] | eagle |
karoro | seagull |
toroa | albatross |
kūkupa | dove |
tīkaokao, tame heihei | rooster, (cock) |
heihei, pīkaokao | hen |
rakiraki, (whio) | duck |
kuihi [UK] | goose |
wani | swan |
ika - fish[edit | edit source]
Māori | English |
---|---|
paea | swordfish |
mangō
mangō pounamu mangō pare |
shark
blue shark hammerhead shark |
aihe | dolphin |
tohorā | whale |
kekeno | seal |
pāpaka | crab |
honu | turtle, tortoise |
pātangaroa | seastar, starfish |
anga | seashell |
kūtai
toretore |
blue mussel
blue mussel |
tio | oyster |
pāua | abalone |
wheo | coral |
pūpū | snail |
putoko | slug |
nākahi [UK] | snake |
ngārara | lizard |
moko, mokomoko
mokopāpā moko kākāriki |
gecko
[brown] [green] |
poraka taratara | toad |
poraka [UK] | frog |
pēpeke - insects[edit | edit source]
Māori | English |
---|---|
pōpokorua | ant |
kihikihi | cicada |
pihareinga | cricket |
māwhitiwhiti | grasshopper |
ngaro | fly |
pūrerehua | butterfly |
kapowai | dragonfly |
titiwai
pūrātoke |
firefly,
glow-worm |
noke, (toke) | earthworm |
ngoikura | ladybug, (ladybird) |
pī [UK] | bee |
wāpi [UK] | wasp |
waeroa | mosquito |
papata | cockroach |
pūngāwerewere | spider |
hikutimo | scorpion |
whare kararehe - zoo[edit | edit source]
Māori | English |
---|---|
makimaki [UK] | monkey, ape |
kākā, pōrete [UK]
kākāpō |
parrot
night parrot |
momoa | ostrich |
raiona [UK] | lion |
uwha raiona | lioness |
rēparo [UK]
pānihi |
leopard
panther |
taika [UK] | tiger |
kāmera [UK/AR] | camel
dromedary |
hīpara | zebra |
kakīroa | giraffe |
arewhana | elephant |
rinorino | rhinoceros |
hipohipo | hippopotamus |
kumi ihuroa | crocodile |
kāngarū | kangaroo |
Practice Phrases[edit | edit source]
Here are some phrases to help your remember some of the above words in context:
- I tino pai te kai i te ika kaiwhakatikatika i te wiki. - The fish was very good for dinner this week.
- E kimi ana ahau i tētahi manu hei whakawhitiwhiti i ngā whakaaro. - I am looking for a bird to distract my thoughts.
- He manu tino rerekē tērā, ko te pouākai. - That's a very unusual bird, the eagle.
- Kei te pai tonu ngā moko ki te whakarereke i ngā awa. - The geckos are good at controlling the insects near the river.
- He nui ngā kararehe kei te whakamātau te hunga taiao ki te tiaki i a rātou. - There are many animals that environmentalists are trying to protect.
Videos[edit | edit source]
Learn some key animals in Te Reo Māori[edit | edit source]
ANIMALS in Te Reo and NZSL (with sounds) for kids[edit | edit source]
Te Reo Maori Farm Animals Cards[edit | edit source]
Māori Language Week 2017 - animal names[edit | edit source]
Farm Animals I Te Pāmu I Learn Te Reo Māori[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]