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Maori Language Trivia Quiz

Many Maori words are used as part of everyday New Zealand English. If you were to visit New Zealand, would you know what people were talking about? Take this quiz and find out.

A multiple-choice quiz by kashikoi. Estimated time: 2 mins.

Author
kashikoi

Time
2 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
48,350

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
738

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: EDA2628 (10/10), Guest 176 (9/10), Guest 219 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What does 'Kia ora' mean? Hint

Fine weather today

Mine's a beer

Please

Hello, thank you

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What does 'whanau' mean? Hint

brother

family

canoe

father

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What is 'koha'? Hint

a grandparent

family

a gift or donation

an ancestor

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. What does 'tapu' mean? Hint

evil, awful

expensive, precious

scary, terrible

sacred, forbidden

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. What is 'kaimoana'? Hint

pork

an alcoholic beverage

a kind of sweet potato

seafood

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Question 6 of 10

6. If I say 'Kia kaha!', what am I telling you to do? Hint

Be quiet!

Please tell me your name.

Go away!

Be strong!

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. If I go to a 'tangi', where do I go? Hint

the beach

the hospital

school

a funeral

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What is 'whakapapa'? Hint

a canoe

the forest

the land

geneology

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What does 'haere ra' mean? Hint

be careful!

thank you

my friend

goodbye

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What is a 'taniwha'? Hint

a meeting house

a museum

a water-dwelling spirit

a native New Zealand bird

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 05 2024 : EDA2628: 10/10
Nov 29 2024 : Guest 176: 9/10
Nov 25 2024 : Guest 219: 10/10
Nov 12 2024 : Waitakere: 10/10
Oct 31 2024 : Guest 147: 7/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What does 'Kia ora' mean?

Answer: Hello, thank you

"Kia ora" also has further uses, in particular as an acknowledgement.

2. What does 'whanau' mean?

Answer: family

"Wh" is pronounced "f" in Maori, so this is pronounced "far-no". As with the other words in this quiz, this would usually be used without translation during a news report in New Zealand.

3. What is 'koha'?

Answer: a gift or donation

Some events might ask for a 'koha' rather than a set admission fee.

4. What does 'tapu' mean?

Answer: sacred, forbidden

A special ceremony would need to be performed to lift a tapu.

5. What is 'kaimoana'?

Answer: seafood

This includes mussels, pipi, tuatua, (all kinds of shellfish), as well as seaurchins and all kinds of fish.

6. If I say 'Kia kaha!', what am I telling you to do?

Answer: Be strong!

My favourite example of this was in a Miss New Zealand beauty pageant, when just before the announcemeent of the winner, one of the contestants whispered to another: "Kia kaha, babe!".

7. If I go to a 'tangi', where do I go?

Answer: a funeral

A tangi might last several days.

8. What is 'whakapapa'?

Answer: geneology

To know your ancestry is very important in Maori culture.

9. What does 'haere ra' mean?

Answer: goodbye

You will see this painted on roadsigns around New Zealand as you drive out of various cities and provinces, also next to the Auckland Airport.

10. What is a 'taniwha'?

Answer: a water-dwelling spirit

Maori legend has many stories of encounters with taniwha, and there is a children's song about them that starts: "One day a taniwha went swimming in the moana" and ends "Taniwha, oh haere ra".

Source: Author kashikoi

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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