Karakia , Incantation

He reo Māori te reo o ngā karakia Māori. Ko te tikanga mā te karakia e tīmata e whakamutu hoki i ngā hui. Ākona tētahi karakia hei whakamahinga māu.

Karakia are ritual chants or prayers spoken in te reo Māori. They’re especially appropriate to use at the beginning and end of hui (meetings). Learn a simple karakia to use at your next hui.

Close-up of two people performing a Karakia – Incantation, in traditional Maori cloaks

Karakia in te reo Māori

Tuia ki runga
Tuia ki raro
Tuia ki roto
Tuia ki waho
Tuia te here tangata
Tūturu o whiti
Whakamaua kia tina
Tina! Haumi e, hui e
Taiki e!

English translation

Stitch, (unite/combine) the celestial energies
To the terrestrial energies
Within
And without
Bind the kinship strands of humanity
Permanent, consistent are the fibres of light
Draw these matters to a single point and give them substance
The wisdom is bound, it collects
It is held!

Pronunciation

If you'd like some help with te reo Māori pronunciation, check out our pronunciation guide.