Three official languages
English is the most commonly used language in New Zealand. Te reo Māori is the language of Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa, and has official-language status. New Zealand Sign Language is the main language of the Deaf community and is also an official language.
Visitors will often see te reo Māori in place names, signs, public information and cultural experiences. Pronunciation varies between speakers and regions, so listening and asking politely is always appropriate.
Te reo Māori
Te reo Māori carries the knowledge, stories and identity of Māori communities. It is taught and used in homes, schools, media, workplaces and public life, alongside English. Many familiar place names, including Tāmaki Makaurau and Ōtautahi, come from te reo Māori.
Macrons mark long vowels, such as the ā in Māori. They can change pronunciation and meaning, so retaining them in writing is important.
Pronunciation basics
Te reo Māori has five vowels. Vowels may be short or long, and consonants include wh and ng. The sound represented by wh can vary, while ng can appear at the beginning of a word. Listen to local speakers rather than relying only on English spelling rules.
Useful phrases
For more context, explore Māori culture and heritage and key facts about New Zealand.
