Learn Maori (Te Reo)
Learn Māori online with an app that gets you speaking in minutes. Start building your language skills with practical lessons on essential phrases in te reo Māori — that’s the Māori language — which you can use in New Zealand and with Māori communities worldwide.
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Connect with Māori Culture Through Language Learning
Many people want to learn Māori to connect with New Zealand's indigenous language and culture. But finding quality te reo Māori resources that focus on real conversation and pronunciation can be challenging.
uTalk is the solution. We'll help you avoid:
- Missing out on meaningful cultural connections and understanding Māori heritage
- Struggling with pronunciation, vowel sounds and consonant clusters because you don't have access to native speaker audio
- Learning complex vocabulary before you know basic greetings and common phrases used in real-life situations
Learn te reo Māori online, and open the door to a deeper understanding of Māori culture and heritage.
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Three Steps to Learn Māori Online
No scheduling classes. No jargon. Just a clear path.
Start in minutes
Subscribe now, download the mobile app or open the web app. Choose Māori, and select a category to begin learning te reo.
Get StartedPractise real phrases
Learn through brief lessons with native Māori speaker audio and fun games that help your recall. Complete reviews focused on words you get wrong to build your vocabulary faster.
Speak like a local
Try your new te reo words and phrases in real life. Whether you're a beginner or a more experienced learner, you can now build basic and practical spoken language skills to help you communicate and engage in everyday situations in Māori.
Why uTalk is the Best Māori Language Learning App
The uTalk language learning app is accessible online and helps you learn how to speak Māori and recognise important words and phrases in te reo.
Speak first
Lessons include key vocabulary used in everyday spoken Māori. Practical content helps you greet and communicate with people across New Zealand.
Authentic speakers
Practise your accent by listening to real Māori speakers instead of computerised voices. Hear the pronunciation and vowel sounds as they're truly spoken in New Zealand.
Beginner friendly, fun and effective
Build confidence and language skills with short, focused audio lessons. Then, reinforce what you learn with game-like practice.
Speak Māori Today - Common Phrases and Audio
uTalk helps you learn how to speak and recognise key words and phrases. It's app-based, online and ready when you are.
Tēna koa, homai he kawhe.
I’d like a coffee, please.
Kia ora.
Hello.
Ae.
Yes.
Ae koa.
Yes please.
E kao.
No.
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Kao, tēna koe.
No thanks.
Tēnā koe.
Please.
Tēnā koe.
Thank you.
Tēna rā koe.
Thank you very much.
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E pai ana.
You’re welcome.
Tēna kia rua ngā pia.
Two beers, please.
pahi
bus
motokā
car
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tēkihi
taxi
tereina
train
tūnga tereina
railway station
tūnga wakarererangi
airport
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hōtēra
hotel
uruwhenua
passport
waea
telephone
Tēna koa.
Excuse me.
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Kei te aha te wā?
What time is it?
Tēna meatia mai anō?
Can you repeat that please?
Tēna kia āta kōrero.
Please speak more slowly.
Kāore au i te mārama.
I don’t understand.
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Mo taku hē.
Sorry.
Kei hea ngā wharepaku?
Where are the toilets?
Wharepaku Wāhine.
Ladies’ Toilet
Wharepaku Tāne
Gents’ Toilet
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Kei hea te tahatai?
Where is the beach?
Kei hea te pēke moni?
Where is the bank?
He aha te utu?
How much does this cost?
kāri nama
credit card
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mīhini moni
cash machine
Ka kite.
Goodbye.
pire
paracetamol
ngā kī
keys
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mahere
map
mauī
left
matau
right
tahi
one
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rua
two
toru
three
Fun facts | Maori
- Aotearoa, the Maori name for New Zealand, means ‘land of the long white cloud’.
- We borrow the word 'kiwi' from Maori.
- Maori has two sets of possessive words, for example, 'my' is either 'tāku' or 'tōku'. The difference is that the first is used with things that we can control according to the Maori world view: children, husbands, wives, machines not used for transport, pets, money, tools, food, actions. And the other is used with things beyond our control: parents, siblings, friends, lovers (not spouses), feelings, transport, shelter, buildings, medicine, clothes and parts of the body.
How our te reo Māori lessons work
Your journey to learn Māori should be simple. Start with basic greetings such as kia ora and mōrena, plus everyday vocabulary. Then, move on to practical categories such as family, numbers and travel. Our lessons are short, enjoyable and beginner-friendly. You'll practise with recordings from native speakers and be tested on what you've learned to boost your vocabulary recall. Personalised review sessions focus on the words you find most difficult, reinforcing lessons and building your confidence in speaking Māori.
Pick any category, and the app sets the order of your lessons so you can get quick wins as you learn. Choose to learn in English or another of the supported languages. With access to all lessons online and offline, via mobile or desktop, you can learn from anywhere. If the suggested learning path doesn't appeal to you, change categories at any time. Any questions? Contact our friendly UK-based team — we’re ready to help.
Māori vs Samoan vs Hawaiian
A quick guide to the differences between Māori, Samoan and Hawaiian.
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Key points
- Māori, Samoan and Hawaiian are all Polynesian languages that share historical roots in the Austronesian language family. Because each has evolved separately, they are distinct and not mutually intelligible.
- Māori is the indigenous language of New Zealand (Aotearoa). Samoan is spoken in Samoa and by Pacific communities worldwide. Hawaiian is the native language of Hawaii.
- All three share some similar vocabulary and grammar patterns due to their common ancestry, but each has different pronunciation rules and sentence structures.
Languages of New Zealand and the Pacific
- Māori is spoken throughout New Zealand alongside English as an official language. It's the indigenous language of the Māori people and central to New Zealand's cultural identity.
- English, as New Zealand's other official language, is widely spoken across the country. In the wider Pacific region, you'll find Samoan in Samoa, Fijian in Fiji, Hawaiian in Hawaii and Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea.
- uTalk supports 150+ languages, including many of these Pacific languages, so you don't need to limit yourself to learning just Māori. If you're so inclined, choose a couple to explore the region's linguistic diversity.
“We help make learning te reo Māori easy”
"It's easy to feel stuck when you want to learn an indigenous language but can't find the right resources. At uTalk, we understand that Māori is a precious part of New Zealand's culture and identity. Start now to build your own connection to Māori culture and heritage by learning the language as it's really spoken by native speakers."
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Richard Howeson
uTalk Founder
Why learners trust uTalk for language learning
We've helped over 30 million people start speaking a new language. The uTalk app doesn't just work for English speakers. It supports learning in more than 140 other languages, making lessons accessible for learners worldwide. With over 2,500 phrases across 60+ categories covering everyday situations, uTalk gives you the tools you need to speak with confidence.
Your language learning journey in te reo Māori
Perhaps you'd like to connect with Māori culture, explore your heritage or easily communicate during travel in New Zealand. Te reo Māori is spoken across Aotearoa and holds deep cultural significance for the Māori people. Finding quality Māori lessons that focus on practical language skills can be hard, but it doesn't need to be.
Get StarteduTalk can help. Choose a category to begin with, or start with First Words such as kia ora and ka kite. Then, build on those skills with useful words and phrases that help you connect with Māori culture in real life. You'll listen to native speaker audio, record yourself practising pronunciation and compare the two. With fun games and practical content, lessons are great for beginners and those who just want to brush up on their Māori skills. Whether you follow a structured learning pathway or choose topics on your own, you’ll progress at your own pace.
The outcome is simple. You'll speak te reo Māori with confidence. You'll understand native Māori speakers more easily. You'll be able to use your language skills with friends, family and new connections in New Zealand.
Learn real-life topics in Māori
Explore the Austronesian language family and Polynesian languages
The Māori language belongs to the Austronesian language family, a vast network that stretches from Southeast Asia to the Pacific and even Madagascar. If you're interested in comparing words, vowel sounds or everyday phrases across the family, check out: Samoan, Fijian, Hawaiian, Malay, Indonesian, Filipino (Tagalog), Ilocano, Javanese and Malagasy.
These Polynesian languages often share similar vocabulary and phonetic patterns due to their common ancestry, so cross-learning might feel familiar once you start your language learning journey. Understanding the connections between Polynesian languages can help you grasp concepts more quickly as you begin learning te reo Māori.
Get StartedYour te reo Māori questions, answered
Do you offer live online classes or is it just an app?
uTalk is an app and online language learning software. Lessons are digital, short and practical. If you want a tutor, the app still helps you prepare for class and review between sessions.
Can I start as a beginner?
Yes. The course begins with basic greetings and everyday words and phrases and takes you to an A1-A2 level on the CEFR scale. Some of our topics even cover material you’d learn as you grow your skills to B1 or B2.
What application languages do you support? Can I learn without English?
Yes. uTalk works for speakers of more than 140 languages. Choose the one that suits you in Settings.
How is content selected and ordered?
Topics are based on real life situations. You can select any category and the app suggests a smart learning order for beginners. You can change it at any time.
How does uTalk compare with YouTube lessons?
YouTube can be useful, but it’s hard to check pronunciation or get structured reviews. uTalk gives you native speaker audio, games that test tricky words more often and a clear path from basic to practical use.
Is Māori the same as other Polynesian languages?
The Māori language is related to other Polynesian languages, such as Samoan, Hawaiian and Fijian, but they are all distinct languages with different grammar, sentence structures and vocabulary. Māori is most closely related to Tahitian and Cook Islands Māori. While Polynesian languages share some words and grammar patterns due to their common roots in the Austronesian language family, they are not mutually intelligible.
How is te reo Māori pronounced?
Māori pronunciation follows consistent rules that make learning te reo easier than learning many other languages. It's essential to understand vowel sounds to speak Māori correctly. There are five different vowel sounds, and each can be short or long. Consonant clusters are rare. The app includes native speaker audio so you can listen and practise your pronunciation until you get it right.
How fast can I learn to speak Māori?
Many learners find that short, consistent sessions are best for language learning. Your speed in learning te reo Māori depends on how much time you regularly dedicate to building your language skills. After just a few weeks of steady practice with audio lessons, you'll likely feel comfortable with basic greetings and perhaps even confident handling some simple conversations.
Can I learn Māori for free with uTalk?
It's easy to get started with uTalk, and you can cancel whenever you want. We want you to love uTalk for learning te reo, so we even offer a 28-Day Money Back Guarantee if you're not satisfied.
What does 'te reo Māori' mean?
Te reo Māori literally means 'the Māori language'. Many Māori speakers simply call it te reo, which means 'the language'. This reflects how central the language is to Māori culture and identity in New Zealand. Understanding this translation helps learners appreciate the cultural context and meaning behind the language's name.
Where can I learn Māori with uTalk?
We’re available on iOS, Android, web, Mac and PC. Get started now and you’ll be directed to download uTalk for your device.
Topics
- First Words
- Transport
- Restaurant
- Food and Drink
- Cooking
- Places
- Directions
- Illness
- Doctor
- Body
- Emergencies
- Social Phrases
- Leisure
- Likes and Dislikes
- Football Match Abroad
- Football Commentary
- Sports
- Shopping Words
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Clothes
- Ingredients
- Home
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Tools
- Family
- Occupations
- Animals
- Animals' Bodies
- Farming
- Technology
- School
- Business
- Numbers up to Twenty
- Numbers up to Ten Million
- Essential Phrases
- Adjectives
- Prepositions
- Colours
- Countries
- Calendar
- Time
- Timetable
- Outdoors
- Holiday
- Skiing
- Camping
- Golf
- Sailing
- Driving
- Olympics
- Summer Olympics
- Winter Olympics
- Military Commands
- Military Peace Keeping
- Military Intelligence
- Accommodation
- Shopping Phrases
- Travelling
- Free Starter Words
- Disaster Relief - Volunteers
- Natural Disasters
Get by with basic greetings, words and phrases including 'hello', 'thank you' and 'I'd like a coffee please'.