Ever notice how a simple “thank you” can make someone’s day? In New Zealand, saying thank you in Māori is not just polite, it’s also a gesture of respect for the land and the people. But you don’t have to be fluent in Te Reo Māori to make an impression.
The good thing about the Māori language is that you can express your “thank you” in a lot of ways, depending on the context of the situation. Together, let’s learn the key thank you phrases in Māori and earn your ticket to more genuine interactions, one syllable at a time.
The Meaning Behind Saying Thank You In Māori
With respect deeply rooted in Māori culture, “thank you” is more than just words that show politeness. It’s an expression that is closely tied to manaakitanga, one of the core values in Māori living. Aside from deep respect, it is also about showing kindness, generosity, and care to others to uplift their mana (life force, authority, or prestige).
Like the English saying “respect begets respect,” manaakitanga also has a cyclical nature. When you extend hospitality and care to others, it enhances that person’s mana and, in return, yours. This reciprocity, in turn, strengthens whānau (family) and the community, making everyone want to actively participate in showing support and care.
How To Say Thank You In Maori?
That said, discover the 8 best ways to say thank you in Māori and express appreciation for the kindness they’ve shown you.
1. Thank You / Acknowledgments – Ngā Mihi
Ngā mihi is the direct Māori translation for “thank you” or “acknowledgments.” Use this phrase to sound formal when expressing your sincere gratitude in respectful or professional settings, which can include speaking with elders, community leaders, or tour guides.
2. Big Thanks To You / Huge Gratitude To You – Ngā Mihi Nui Ki A Koe
Ngā mihi nui ki a koe is technically the lengthier version of ngā mihi, and it literally means “big thanks to you” or “many thanks to you.” Use this if you want to personally thank someone heartily for going out of their way to help or for being kind.
3. Thank You With Appreciation – Ngā Mihi Maioha
Ngā mihi maioha is the best Māori phrase to use when a simple kia ora is not enough. The addition of maioha, meaning “appreciative” or “grateful,” adds an emotional layer, making it the best expression to convey the highest level of appreciation and respect for a person who has done something especially meaningful or kind to you.
4. Thank You (To One Person) – Tēnā Koe
Use this formal, polite Maori phrase when you want to thank one person.
5. Thank You (To Two Persons) – Tēnā Kōrua
With Maori being a flexible language, you can literally change the way you say thank you depending on the number of people you’re talking to. In this case, use tēnā kōrua to directly acknowledge two individuals.
6. Thank You (To Three Persons) – Tēnā Kōrua
Tēnā kōrua is the best way to say thank you in Māori to three or more people at a formal setting like public speeches or ceremonies.
7. Thanks – Kia Ora
Though kia ora is an informal way to say hello in Māori, it is versatile enough that you can use it as a friendly “thanks” in almost any conversation you have in Aotearoa.
8. Thank You Very Much / Thank You So Much – Kia Ora Rawa Atu
This particular thank you Māori expression takes kia ora up a notch with the addition of rawa atu to it. Literally translating to “thank you very much,” kia ora rawa atu is used to make your gratitude more heartfelt to someone who just went above and beyond for you.
How Do You Say Thank You In Māori?
The formal way of saying thank you in Māori is Ngā mihi (ngah MEE-hee). It directly translates to “thank you” or “acknowledgments” and is a versatile way of expressing general thanks or kind regards in both formal and semi-formal situations.
You can then use the same phrase to express greater appreciation in phrases like Ngā mihi nui, meaning “thank you very much” or “kind regards,” and Ngā mihi nui ki a koe, which means “huge gratitude to you.”
Vocabulary For Saying Thank You In Māori
To sum up those thank you in Māori expressions you’ve just learned, here’s a table you can refer back to whenever you’re unsure what to say, with or without the waterworks coming in.
| English | Māori | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you Acknowledgments (slightly more formal) | Ngā mihi | ngah MEE-hee |
| Big thanks to you Huge gratitude to you (formal, heartfelt) | Ngā mihi nui ki a koe | NGAH MEE-hee NOO-ee kee ah KO-eh |
| Thank you with appreciation (formal) | Ngā mihi maioha | NGAH MEE-hee MY-oh-ha |
| Thank you (to one person; formal and polite) | Tēnā koe | TEH-nah KO-eh |
| Thank you (to two persons; formal and polite) | Tēnā kōrua | TEH-nah KAW-roo-ah |
| Thank you (to three persons; formal and polite) | Tēnā koutou | TEH-nah KO-toh |
| Thanks (informal, everyday) | Kia ora | KEE-ah OR-ah |
| Thank you very much (formal, intensified gratitude) | Kia ora rawa atu | KEE-ah OR-ah RAH-wah AH-too |
Tips For Saying Thank You In Maori With Respect
Mastering how to say thank you in Māori is one of the best ways to practice your cultural muscles. Using Te Reo Māori in any conversation you’ll have in New Zealand shows how committed you are to learn not only the language, but also respect for the culture and the people as a whole.
Here are a few tips to help you say thank you the Māori way more easily:
- Focus On The Pronunciation: How you say the words is a big thing in Māori culture because it shows your respect for the language and the people. Each letter has a distinct pronunciation, so making an effort to say them correctly goes a long way. Ling has a Dialog feature that allows you to practice using these thank you phrases in a natural conversation using native-speaker audio.
- Get The Context Behind The Words: Māori is a language of connection. You may get the pronunciation right, but if you don’t say them with sincerity and warmth, those words don’t reflect your respect for their culture.
- Start With The Simple Kia Ora: Kia ora is the easiest and most versatile phrase that you can learn in Te Reo Māori. It can mean “hello” or “thank you,” and can be used in both casual and semi-formal settings. This allows you to build more confidence to say more formal phrases like ngā mihi.
- Learn The Proper Setting To Use Each Expression: Knowing how to say thank you is great, but learning when they are used makes it even better.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thank You in Maori
Can Foreigners Say Kia Ora?
Foreigners are welcome to say kia ora. This is one of the Māori greetings that have been adopted in New Zealand English, making it not only common but also widely accepted by locals and visitors alike. When used by non-Māori speakers, kia ora is seen as a respectful way to acknowledge Māori culture, especially when used properly in informal contexts, such as when expressing thanks or greetings.
What Are Traditional Māori Ways Of Showing Gratitude?
The most traditional way of showing gratitude in Māori includes using words like kia ora (greetings + wishes of health, well-being, and good wishes). But in ceremonies and other formal settings like the pōwhiri, you express gratitude through speeches, waiata (chants), and ceremonial gestures like the hongi (pressing of noses and foreheads that symbolize sharing of breath and life).
How Do You Say Thank You Very Much In Māori Email?
In formal communication, including emails, you can express deep gratitude using two polite phrases that show genuine appreciation and respect: Ngā mihi nui (big thanks) and Kia ora rawa atu (thank you very much). For example, you can say Ngā mihi nui mō tō tautoko to say “Big thanks for your support” or Kia ora rawa atu mō tō awhina to say “Thank you very much for your help.”
Show The Spirit Of Aotearoa Beyond Words
Now that you have learned how to say thank you in Māori, you’re one step closer to accomplishing your goal of expressing gratitude in different languages. But more than just the words and speaking Te Reo Māori, it’s about honoring the culture and heritage behind it.
Now that you know how to show your appreciation in Māori, you can truly become a local — not just a visitor. And, together with the other Māori greetings you’ve learned, you can now create lifelong memories and connections whenever and wherever you are in New Zealand.
Connect Deeper With The Heart Of Aotearoa Through Ling
“Thank you” is just the beginning of your wonderful journey in New Zealand. With each phrase you master, more doors (and windows!) open to a deeper understanding of the Māori traditions and the connections with the locals.
Regular practice and curiosity can get you to be fluent in Te Reo Māori, but with the Ling app, your study sessions need not be a grueling two-hour session.
Its structured, gamified lessons and real native-speaker audio help you master pronunciation naturally in as little as ten minutes. You can also practice Māori in natural conversations through Dialog and track your progress every step of the way.
What are you waiting for? Try the 7-day free trial and see for yourself how easy it is to learn Māori with Ling!
