The words of New Zealand
Real words from the people of New Zealand, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.
“What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.”
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
Source: Traditional Māori whakataukī (proverb), public-domain oral tradition; documented in Mead & Grove, 'Ngā Pēpeha a ngā Tīpuna' (2001)
“Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.”
Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei.
Source: Traditional Māori whakataukī, public-domain oral tradition
“We are all in this canoe together, without exception.”
He waka eke noa.
Source: Traditional Māori whakataukī, public-domain oral tradition
“Walking backwards into the future.”
Ka mua, ka muri.
Source: Traditional Māori whakataukī, public-domain oral tradition
“With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.”
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
Source: Traditional Māori whakataukī, public-domain oral tradition
“The person who stands lives; the person who sits perishes.”
Tama tū tama ora, tama noho tama mate.
Source: Traditional Māori whakataukī, public-domain oral tradition
“Let us keep close together, not far apart.”
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa.
Source: Traditional Māori whakataukī, public-domain oral tradition
“Feathers enable the bird to fly.”
Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu.
Source: Traditional Māori whakataukī, public-domain oral tradition
“Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.”
Kia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui.
Source: Traditional Māori whakataukī, public-domain oral tradition