Paki Board Resources
Everyday Reo Māori Sentences
Select a task below to learn useful sentences and practice speaking them out loud along with the video.
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Kei te rite? | Are (you) ready? |
| He aha tēnei? | What is this? |
| Tīmata! | Start! |
| Kua mutu? Kua mutu | Finished? Finished |
| Paki | Clap (it) |
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Kei whea ō kākahu? | Where are your clothes? |
| Tikina ō kākahu | Get your clothes |
| Kuhuna ō kākahu | Put your clothes on |
| Pōkaihia ngā kākahu | Fold the clothes |
| Whakapai i ngā kākahu | Tidy the clothes |
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Kua tae ki te wā whakaātaahua | It’s time for grooming |
| Horoia tō mata | Wash your face |
| Whakamarokehia tō mata | Dry your face |
| Paraihe i ō makawe | Brush your hair |
| Ātaahua! | Beautiful/handsome! |
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Paraihe i ō niho | Brush your teeth |
| Tīkina tō paraihe niho | Grab your toothbrush |
| Kei whea te pēniho? | Where is the toothpaste? |
| Me paraihe tonu | Keep brushing |
| Menemene! | Smile! |
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Kua reri te kai | Food is ready |
| Kei te hiakai koe? | Are you hungry? |
| Anei tō kai | Here is your food |
| He reka | It’s delicious |
| Kua kī tō puku? | Is your stomach full? |
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Kuhuna ō hū | Put your shoes on |
| Kei whea ō hū? | Where are your shoes? |
| Tikina ō hū | Get your shoes |
| Kei konei ngā hū | Here are the shoes |
| Whakahokia ō hū | Put your shoes back |
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Kua tae ki te wā horoi | It’s time to wash |
| He mirumiru! | It’s bubbles! |
| Horoia tō tinana | Wash your body |
| Horoia ō makawe | Wash your hair |
| Anei tō tāora | Here is your towel |
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Kua tae ki te wā whakapai | It’s clean up time now |
| Whakapai koa | Tidy up please |
| Whakapai i te tuatahi | Tidy up first |
| Kāore anō kua mutu | (You/we) are not done yet |
| He rawe ō mahi! | Awesome work! |
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Kua tae ki te wā pānui pukapuka | It’s time to read books |
| Whiriwhiria tētahi pukapuka | Choose a book |
| Kei te hiahia koe ki te pānui pukapuka anō? | Do you want to read another book? |
| Māu te pukapuka e pānui | You can read the book |
| Whakahokia te pukapuka | Put the book back |
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Kua tae ki te wā karakia | It’s time to pray |
| Ko tēhea te karakia? | What is the prayer? |
| Ko te karakia mō te kai/rā/moe | The prayer for food/the day/sleep |
| Māu te karakia e tīmata | You can start the prayer |
| Me karakia tātou | Let’s pray |
| Te Reo Māori | English Translation |
|---|---|
| E oho ināianei | Wake up now |
| Whakapaipai te moenga | Make the bed |
| Kua tae ki te wā moe | It’s bedtime |
| Hoki ki tō moenga | Go back to your bed |
| Pō mārie | Good night |
Useful Everyday Waiata
Prefer something physical?
A playful way for kids to track their days and important events. It includes instructions and 14 icons to add to your week wheel (7 home, 5 school/kindy, and 2 stars).
This downloadable PDF is in Te Reo Māori and is available in:
Parauri (brown)
Waiporoporo (purple)
Kōwhai (yellow)
Check out our other language options or get in touch if you’d like to see another language added!
A cool way for children to learn basic shapes with our funky printable poster.
This downloadable PDF is in Te Reo Māori and is available in:
Parauri (brown)
Māwhero (pink)
Ārani (orange)
Check out our other language options or get in touch if you’d like to see another language added!
Bring the rhythm of te ao Māori into your daily family life with this Karakia Pack of Three.
This downloadable PDF includes:
Karakia mō te rā (for the day)
Karakia mō te kai (for mealtime)
Karakia mō te moe (for bedtime)
Each karakia is designed in KOI Kids’ signature funky, calm style — perfect for whānau wanting to revitalise their te reo Māori and embed tikanga into the everyday.
These karakia have been specifically chosen to be location & context neutral (ie. they are all suitable no matter where you are in the world, or what kind of food you are blessing). With English translations included, whether you're just starting your reo journey or deepening your daily rituals, these vibrant posters help make karakia an easy and beautiful part of your home routine.
Print them out and display them where your tamariki will see and join in — in the kitchen, by the dining table, or next to the bed.
Special mentions: Scotty Morrison for the kupu of two of these karakia, and Stacey Morrison for making these accessible online for whānau.
How to use your paki board.
Choose five task discs for your tamaiti to complete.
Place each disc inside of the Paki Board
After completing each task, flip the lid closed a with a big PAKI!
The included task discs are designed for both morning and night routines and are intentionally open-ended to suit the needs of different whānau.
For example:
🌞 Moenga may mean making the bed in the morning.
🌙 Moenga may mean going to bed in the evening.
As your tamaiti grows, you can adapt the meaning of each disc to suit their age, responsibilities, and routine.
Why is it called Paki?
"Paki" means to clap, slap, pat, or strike.
When a task is completed, tamariki get to flip the tile shut and give it a satisfying PAKI! 👏
This simple action creates a sense of achievement and helps make routines feel like a game rather than a chore :)
🌟 Making the Most of Your Paki Board
→ Let your tamaiti take ownership | Invite them to help choose which discs belong in their routine.
→ Mix things up | Change the order of tasks occasionally to keep things fresh and engaging.
→ Take the task with you | Some tamariki enjoy carrying the task disc while completing their mission before returning it to the board for a PAKI.
→ Create a treasure hunt | Hide the task disc where the activity takes place. Once the task is completed, your tamaiti can place the disc into the board and mark it complete.
→Add waiata to your routine | Some task discs have an accompanying waiata to help reinforce vocabulary and make routines even more engaging.
