As Maori is an official language in New Zealand, teachers typically greet their students with a welcome in the Maori language as well as in English at the start of the school day. I have not yet picked up any Maori besides Kia Ora (hello), harakeke (flax), and waka (boat). During a visit to my host's home in Invercargill, I learned from a kindergarten teacher how to say grace in Maori.
On my travels, I have visited the homes of many New Zealanders. One particularly memorable visit was with a kindergarten teacher in Invercargill, South Island. My host had baked chicken pot pie for dinner. Before we began eating, she said grace in Maori. She informed me that, as a kindergarten teacher, she learned karakia, prayers or incantations. One of these is saying grace in Maori, which the people use to bless the food.
Nau mai e ngā hua
o te wao
o te ngakina
o te wai tai
o te wai Māori
Nā Tane
Nā Rongo
Nā Tangaroa
Nā Maru
Ko Ranginui e tū iho nei
Ko Papatūānuku e takoto nei
Tuturu whakamaua
Kia tina! TINA! Hui e! TĀIKI E! I
Welcome the gifts of food
from the sacred forests
from the cultivated gardens
from the sea
from the fresh waters
The food of Tane
of Rongo
of Tangaroa
of Maru
