Whakataukī – proverbial pearls of wisdom – are an intrinsic part of Māori heritage.
Te Raumawhitu Kupenga and Peter Alsop’s new book Mauri Ora: Wisdom from the Māori World offers a selection of whakataukī for wellbeing accompanied by beautiful photographs.
MĀTANGA EXPERIENCED
E kore e mau i a koe, he wae kai pakiaka
You will not catch the feet accustomed to running among the roots.
Leo White, 1938, ATL, WA-12534-G
MANAAKITANGA
KINDNESS
He aroha whakatō, he aroha ka puta mai
If kindness is sown, then kindness is what you shall receive.
Ans Westra, 1963, AWM-0584-F_08
PUKUAROHA
EMPATHY
Nā koutou i tangi, nā tātau katoa
When you cry, your tears are shed by us all
Leo White, 1938, ATL, WA-12543-G
PŪMAHARA
SAVVY
kore te pātiki e hoki ki tōna puehu
The flounder does not return to its dust.
Leo White, c.1920-40, ATL, WA-25215-G
MIHI GRATITUDE
Pai ake te iti I te kore rawātu
Little is better than nothing at all.
Thelma Kent, c.1939, ATL, 1/2-010198-F
HAO NUI
AMBITION
He mate kāhu kōrako
Desire the hawk with white feathers.
Leo White, 1938, ATL, WA-12550-G
TŌTIKA/BALANCE
Mahia i runga i te rangimārie me te ngākau māhaki
With a peaceful mind and respectful heart, we will always get the best results.
Earle Andrew, c.1940, ATL, 1/4-021044-F
WHAKANUI
RESPECT
He tangata takahi manuhiri, he marae puehu
When a guest is disrespected, the marae suffers
Ans Westra, 1960, AWM-0041-F_04
WHAKAMĀNAWA
HONOUR
E kore e hekeheke, he kākano rangatira
A noble heritage will never perish.
Leo White, 1948, ATL, WA-12460-G
WHAKAOHO
MOTIVATION
Mauri tū, mauri ora
An active soul is a healthy soul.
Leo White, 1938, ATL, WA-12540-G
WHAKAHOUANGA
RENEWAL
Mate atu he tētēkura, ka whakaeke mai he tētēkura
As one frond perishes another grows in its place.
James McDonald, c.1900, Te Papa Tongarewa, C.025062
Mother with baby. Leo White, 1930, Alexander Turnbull Library, WA-03183-G
“We both loved our traditional Māori knowledge and liked the idea of sharing the wisdom that comes through these whaka with our country and with the world,” Kupenga says.
“We don’t need to go to Eastern religions or look too far off our shores to gain wisdom or to gain inspiration.”
The whakataukī in the book are presented under six different themes – key human virtues from the science of positive psychology: wisdom (mātauranga) courage (maia), compassion (atawhai) integrity (ngākau tapatahi) self-mastery (whakahautanga) and belief (whakapono).
The first whakataukī the authors looked at was Tā Apirana Ngata’s ‘E Tipu’ – Kupenga’s favourite, which he describes as “signposts for a good life”.
E tipu e rea mo ngā rā o tō ao
Ko tō ringa ki ngā rākau ā te Pakeha Hei ara mō tō tinana
Ko tō ngākau ki ngā tāonga a ō tīpuna Māori
Hei tikitiki mō tō māhuna
Ko tō wairua ki tō Atua, Nānā nei ngā mea katoa
Grow up and thrive for the days destined to you.
Your hands to the tools of the Pākehā to provide physical sustenance.
Your heart to the treasures of your Māori ancestors as a diadem for your brow.
Your soul to your God, to whom all things belong.
