Reo

Whakataukī are traditional Māori proverbs. They are direct quotes of a past leader, often from many generations, and even centuries, ago. It is common for them to have been first said during important historical events. 

Whakataukī embody the values, wisdom, wit, and common-sense of tangata whenua. They make use of traditional symbols and metaphors to convey these things, typically from the natural environment, and are usually quite short concise. 

They feature greatly in formal oratory and musical compositions to inspire, and also serve as reminders - sometimes gentle and at other times not - of the behaviours preferred by our tūpuna. 

When the tupuna who is being quoted is known, this is called a ‘whakatauākī’. If it is not known who first uttered the proverb, this is called a ‘whakataukī’.