Whakatauki Flashcards
Long on words, short on actions
Hōhonu kakī, pāpaku uaua
Never say die
Okea ururoatia
From the withered tree a flower blooms
Iti noa ana he pito mata
What’s done is done
E kore a muri e hokia
There is no place like home
Kia mau ki te tokanga nui a noho
Even though the wedge is small, it brings down the mighty totara
(A little effort can achieve great things)
Ahakoa he iti te matakahi, ka pakaru i a ia te tôtara
Unflinching Tangaroa, symbolising a brave intrepid warrior
Tangaroa kiriuka
If the first group do the work properly, the following group can accomplish the task
E ngaki ana a mua, e tōtō mai ana a muri
Although it is small, it is given with affection
Ahakoa he iti, he iti nā te aroha
Seek out that which is most important
Tikarohia te marama
People grow, adzes remain small
(People are more valuable than material possessions)
He iti tangata e tupu, he toki e iti tonu
The land remains
when people have
disappeared
Toitū te whenua,
whatungarongaro
he tangata
Ka roa te ngaromanga, he iti te putanga.
When it is hidden for a long time, it will be small when it comes forth.
The proverb is used of a man who has a great deal to say but who does not put it into action. It is also used of war parties which, when they are small, hesitate to come out to show their strength.
He ringa miti tai heke
A hand which licks up the ebb tide.
He ao te rangi ka ūhia, he huruhuru te manu ka tau.
Adornment
As the clouds cover the sky, so feathers adorn a bird.
The warrior chief Tama-te-rangi had a wife who was unable to weave. He was therefore meanly clad, and for this reason he left her. On one occasion he was urged to speak, but he remained seated and uttered these words as an indication that he did not have a cloak which was worthy of display, and could not rise.
An alternative rendering is:
He ao te rangi ka ūhia, mā te huruhuru te manu ka rere.
As clouds cover the sky, so do feathers enable a bird to fly.
