Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: Honouring Volunteering Through Te Reo, Whakataukī, Karakia and Waiata

During Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week), we celebrate not just the beauty of the Māori language, but also the values it upholds—manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, koha, and aroha. These concepts are deeply aligned with the spirit of volunteering, reminding us that giving back is not just an action, but a way of being.

Key Te Reo Words That Reflect Volunteering Values

• Manaakitanga – Hospitality, kindness, support
  At the heart of volunteering is manaakitanga—caring for others and offering support without expecting anything in return. Volunteers show this every day by uplifting those around them.

• Whanaungatanga – Relationship, connection, sense of family
  Volunteers help build strong communities through whanaungatanga, creating bonds that go beyond task-based roles and reach into the heart of communal wellbeing.

• Koha – Gift, donation, contribution
  Volunteering is a modern expression of koha—a heartfelt gift of time, skills, or presence given freely to others.

• Aroha – Love, compassion, empathy
  All volunteering stems from aroha, the emotional and spiritual connection that motivates people to act in kindness.

Whakataukī (Proverbs) to Inspire and Reflect Volunteering

1. “Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.”
With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive.
Emphasises the value of sharing and collective contribution—at the heart of volunteering.

2. “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.”
What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
A reminder that people and relationships are at the centre of all meaningful work.

3. “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.”
My strength is not mine alone, but the strength of many.
Highlights the collective effort of volunteers working together for a common goal.

4. “Kāore te kumara e kōrero mō tōna ake reka.”
The kūmara does not speak of its own sweetness.
Reflects the humility of volunteers who give generously without seeking praise or recognition.

5. “Mā te mahi ka ora ai te iwi.”
Through work, the people will be well.
Reinforces the idea that meaningful, collective effort—such as volunteering—brings wellbeing to communities.

Karakia for a Volunteering Gathering

Karakia Timatanga – Opening Blessing
Whakataka te hau ki te uru
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga
Kia mākinakina ki uta
Kia mātaratara ki tai
E hī ake ana te atākura
He tio, he huka, he hau hū
Tīhei mauri ora!

Translation:
Let the cold winds come from the west
Let the cold winds come from the south
Let the breezes flow over the land
Let the breezes flow over the sea
Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air
A touch of frost, a promise of a new day
Behold, the breath of life!

This karakia is used to centre, to clear the space, and to bring unity—perfect for opening a volunteer hui or orientation with intention and focus.

Karakia Whakamutunga – Closing Blessing
Unuhia, unuhia
Unuhia te uru tapu nui
Kia wātea, kia māmā, te ngākau, te tinana, te wairua i te ara takatū
Koia rā e Rongo, whakairia ake ki runga
Kia tina! Tina! Hui e! Tāiki e!

Translation:
Draw on, draw on
Draw on the supreme sacredness
To clear, to free the heart, the body, the spirit on this journey
Let there be peace, lifted high upon us
It is done! Draw together! It is complete!

This karakia is ideal for closing a gathering or volunteer event—cleansing, releasing, and sending people forward with lightness and peace.

Waiata – Te Aroha
Te aroha
Te whakapono
Me te rangimārie
Tātou, tātou e

Translation:
Love,
Faith,
And peace
Be among us all

This simple, beloved waiata captures the essence of volunteering. It’s often sung at the end of hui and gatherings to foster unity and warmth, leaving everyone uplifted.

Celebrating in Action

This Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, let’s encourage volunteers and community groups to integrate te reo, whakataukī, karakia and waiata into their mahi (work). Whether it’s opening a session with a karakia, sharing a whakataukī (proverb) in a newsletter, or greeting each other in te reo, every act helps honour the language and the values it carries.

Volunteering offers a powerful platform to normalise and revitalise te reo Māori in everyday spaces. By embedding the language into our volunteering practices, we affirm its place in our communities and inspire others to do the same.

Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu.
With feathers, the bird can fly.
With te reo Māori, our messages of service and community spirit can take flight.

Written by: Cheryll Martin QSO, Volunteering Auckland