Whakataukī - Proverbs Flashcards
(20 cards)
Haere taka mua, taka muri, kaua e whai!
Be a leader, not a follower!
Follow your own path, do not be misled by others.
He māunu kaukau wai.
A duckling thrashing about in the water.
An aimless person who scurries around in a flurry and achieves nothing - A person who seldom completes what they start.
E kore e taea i te rā te waru.
It cannot be fashioned (achieved) in one day.
Difficult matters need time for you to deal with them appropriately – Rome wasn’t built in a day!
Me mate ururoa, kei mate wheke!
Die like a Great White Shark, not like an octopus!
Go down fighting! Never give up!
Arotahi ana te titiro iho a te kārearea, tau ana!
The focus on the falcon is down on its prey, then it attacks!
If we focus entirely on what needs to be done, we will achieve what we set out to do.
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui!
Be strong, be courageous, be steadfast!
He iti rearea, teitei kahikatea, ka taea!
A small bellbird can fly to the top of a great White Pine.
Even a small person can overcome the greatest challenges – don’t judge a book by its cover!
He waka eke noa.
A canoe we are all in together.
This opportunity/event is open to all.
.
He kai kei ō ringa.
There is food in your hands.
Said to a person who can use his/her basic abilities and resources to create success.
Ka tō te rā i a koe?
Can you make the sun set?
One should not assume superiority – humility is key.
Kia rite anō ki ō Māui whakaaro!
Have the same mindset as Māui Tikitiki a Taranga!
Think outside the square and utilise all resources around you.
E rere te huata, kapohia!
When the spear flies, catch it!
Take every opportunity, even the ones that may scare you.
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu.
Although small, it is greenstone (and very precious).
A small deed or gift is still valuable, for it is given with consideration and aroha.
Mā Pango, mā Whero ka oti te mahi.
When Black (the people) and Red (Chief/Leader) work together, the job gets done.
Many hands make light work and also leading by example.
Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei!
Seek that which is most precious to you, if you are to bow, let it be to a lofty mountain!
Reach for the stars and be the captain of your own journey.
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa.
Let us remain close together, not far apart.
There is strength in unity.
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.
With your participation and contribution and mine, all involved will benefit.
Ko te pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata, whakamaua, kia tina!
Seek out distant horizons, and cherish those you attain!
This proverb encourages one to set goals, strive to achieve them and to hold fast (celebrate) what has already been achieved.
He tao rākau ka taea te karo, he tao kī, titi rawa ki te manawa.
A wooden spear can be avoided (dodged), but a verbal spear pierces the heart deeply.
Words have power (positive and negative), always be mindful of your words.
Ko ngā taumata o ngā maunga, ka taea, ko ngā taumata o te Mātauranga he mutunga kore.
The highest levels of mountains can be reached, but the levels of knowledge are infinite.
One never stops developing and learning.
