1. E iti noa ana nā te aroha
A small thing given with love
2. Aroha mai, aroha atu
Love received demands love returned
3. Ko Hinemoa, ko ahau
I am just like Hinemoa; I’d risk all for love
4. Te kuku o te manawa
The pincers of the heart (The object of affection)
5. Me te mea ko Kōpū ka rere i te pae
(The beauty of a women is) like Kōpū (Venus) rising above the horizon
6. Ahakoa he iti he pounamu
Although it is small it is a treasure
7. He hono tangata e kore e motu; ka pa he taura waka e motu
Unlike a canoe rope, a human bond cannot be severed.
8. Ahakoa he iti kete, he iti nā te aroha
It is the thought that counts
9. He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata
Goodwill towards others is a precious treasure
10. Taku toi kahurangi
My precious jewel
11. Me te wai korari
Like the honey of the flax flower (as sweet as honey)
12. Ko Hine-tītama koe matawai ana te whatu i te tirohanga
You are like Hine-tītama, a vision at which the eyes glisten
13. He iti kahurangi
A little treasure
14. Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa
Let us keep close together not far apart
15. E kore e mimiti te aroha mōu
My love for you will never wane
16. E kore e ea i te kupu taku aroha mōu
Words can't express how much I love you
17. Ka nui taku aroha ki a koe
My love for you knows no bounds
The following are 25 whakataukī (Māori proverbs) which were selected and included as messages inside bilingual fortune cookies that were distribution at Massey University campus coffee outlets during Māori Language Week in 2012.
Listen and learn how to say the whakataukī below.
Calm after the storm.
Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e whai.mp3
Be a leader not a follower.
E tupu atu kūmara, e ohu e te anuhe.mp3
As a person’s importance increases so do those who seek his or her favour.
Sit down and bide your time.
What is done is done.
Better times are coming.
Many hands make light work.
He taonga tonu te wareware.mp3
Forgetfulness is an enduring possession.
Caution is highly prized.
An active soul is a healthy soul.
Something has completed a full cycle.
Certain conditions are best left to work themselves out.
I orea te tuatara ka patu ki waho.mp3
A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions.
Ignore small matters and direct effort toward important projects.
A person with great endurance.
He pai ake te iti i te kore.mp3
A little is better than none.
Small in size is contrasted with great in value or beauty.
He iti kai mā te kotahi e kai, kia rangona ai te reka.mp3
If something is too small for division, do not try to divide it.
Whaowhia te kete mātauranga.mp3
Fill the basket of knowledge.
E iti noa ana, nā te aroha.mp3
‘Although it is small, it is given with love.’
Ko ia kāhore nei i rapu, tē kitea.mp3
‘He who does not seek will not find.’
Nothing can be achieved without a plan, workforce and way of doing things.
Tino kai, tino ora te kōpū.mp3
He who has the produce of his labour stored up will never want.
Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō koutou.mp3
Seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing.
A day of hard work.