One of the best ways to learn the Māori language (or any other language) is to learn the songs and the meaning behind the words.

I have made a list of my favorite Māori songs together with the lyrics and the information I have found about them. If I could find a good youtube for the song, it is included.

In order to learn the language, it is better to know the meaning of each and every word, even though the meaning of the entire sentence may not be the same as the combination of all the words. Nevertheless, by learning each word and seeing what the combination becomes, you get to learn the language better.

I included my interpretation of the songs, though I see that the songs have been translated differently elsewhere. I guess the words can be understood in different ways and my translations sound more correct to me. It's good to be pōrangi. That way I have an excuse why I do things differently...

To go to the first page of waiata, click here.


Here is a list of my favorite songs:

  1. Hoki hoki tonu mai (slow)
  2. I roto i te tohu
  3. Pō atarau
  4. Wairua tapu
  5. E te Ariki
  6. Aue te aroha
  7. Ka waiata ki a Maria
  8. Hoki hoki tonu mai (fast)
  9. Tēnā koutou e hoa mā
  10. Maringi noa
  11. E papa waiari
  12. Ka mate ka mate
  13. Māku rā pea
  14. Whakaaria mai
  15. Haere mai rā
  16. He hōnore
  17. He pūru taitama
  18. Hoki mai e tama mā
  19. Putiputi kaneihana
  20. Ngā whakamoemiti
  21. Purea nei e te hau
  22. Tamariki Māori
  23. Tūtira mai
  24. E moe tamariki mā
  25. Matangi
  26. E te Atua
  27. Whiti marama i te pō
  28. Mō maria aianei
  29. E te Tamaiti a te Atua
  30. Tama ngākau mārie
  31. Ngā waka e whitu
  32. He kākano ahau
  33. Pōkarekare ana
  34. Ka rū ka rū
  35. Nau mai piki mai
  36. Te hokinga mai
  37. Kōtiro Māori
  38. Kua rongorongo
  39. Kia paimarie
  40. Tahi nei taru kino
  41. Tōia mai te waka

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