E 50 ngā kupu Māori e hapa ana i ngā rūma pāpāho

Why This Matters

In New Zealand media, the mispronunciation of te reo Māori is not just a minor error - it is a systemic issue that undermines the credibility of news organisations and perpetuates cultural insensitivity. For Māori audiences, hearing our language pronounced well with real intention on national radio or television tells us that the news is for us, too.

This list focuses on words that are frequently mispronounced in news bulletins, talk shows, and print media. Each entry includes the correct pronunciation, a phonetic transliteration, and the common mistakes to avoid.

Place Names

Māori place names are among the most frequently mispronounced words in New Zealand media. Many of these names have deep historical and cultural significance, and their correct pronunciation is a matter of respect.

Audio Clip: Place Names Pronunciation Guide

Iwi and Hapū Names

Iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-tribes) names are often mispronounced due to their complexity. These names are central to Māori identity, and their correct pronunciation is a sign of respect.

Audio Clip: Iwi Names Pronunciation Guide

Common Māori Words in Media

These words frequently appear in news stories but are often mispronounced. Many have entered New Zealand English but retain their Māori pronunciation.

Concepts and Terms

These terms are often used in news stories but are frequently mispronounced or misunderstood.

Audio Clip: Concepts and Terms Pronunciation Guide

The Most Common Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them

1. Treating Wh as W

• Mistake: Pronouncing whare as "ware" or whānau as "wanau."

• Fix: In most regions, wh is pronounced as "f." However, in some areas it is pronounced as "w." When in doubt, use "f" to avoid offending someone from that region.

2. Ignoring Macrons

• Mistake: Pronouncing Tāmaki as "Tah-mah-kee" instead of "Taa-mah-kee."

• Fix: Macrons indicate a long vowel sound. Always use them in written text and respect them in pronunciation.

3. Mispronouncing Ng

• Mistake: Pronouncing Ngā as "Nuh" or "Ngah."

• Fix: Ng in Māori is pronounced like the "ng" in "sing." The ā in Ngā is long, so it should be "Ngah."

4. Stressing the Wrong Syllable

• Mistake: Pronouncing Aotearoa as "Ah-oh-teh-ah-ROH-ah" (stress on ro).

• Fix: Stress the first syllable of each component: "Ah-oh-teh-ah-roh-ah."

5. Breaking Up Diphthongs

• Mistake: Pronouncing Ao in Aotearoa as two separate sounds ("uh-oh").

• Fix: Diphthongs should glide from one sound to another in a single syllable. Ai should sound like "ah-ee."

Newsroom Checklist

To avoid mispronunciations in your newsroom, follow this checklist:

1. Add Macrons: Ensure your CMS and teleprompter support macrons. If they do not, advocate for an upgrade.

2. Use Phonetic Transliterations based on mora: For words that are frequently used in your bulletins, create a shared document with phonetic transliterations based on mora, not English.

3. Consult Experts: Build a network of te reo Māori speakers who can verify pronunciations.

4. Listen and Repeat: Use audio resources (such as those on Te Reo Māori Dictionary) to hear correct pronunciations.

5. Practice Regularly: Spend a few minutes each day practising te reo Māori words. Use Tārake's daily bulletin as a resource.

6. Respect Regional Variations: Be aware that pronunciations can vary between regions and iwi. When researching or interviewing on a specific story, expect to hear the dialect.

Further Reading on Tārake (Coming soon!)

• The Importance of Macrons in te reo Māori

• How Tārake Verifies Pronunciations Before Publication

• Interview: A Linguist on Common Māori Mispronunciations