Karakia

He karakia, he pure, he whakaaro nui — Sacred words that open and close our day at Te Puna Reo o Ngā Kākano.

He aha te karakia? — What is Karakia?

Karakia are Māori incantations or prayers used to acknowledge the spiritual dimension of our activities. At Te Puna Reo o Ngā Kākano, we use karakia to begin and end each part of our day — from meals to play to learning. They help our tamariki feel grounded, connected, and ready to engage with the world around them.

Ko te reo, ko tōku mana

Language is identity. Each karakia our tamariki learn strengthens their connection to te reo Māori, to their tīpuna, and to the living world around them.

We encourage whānau to use these karakia at home too — sharing the words across both worlds helps te reo flourish naturally in our tamariki.

Scroll down to explore the karakia we use each day at our kura.

Ō Mātou Karakia — Our Karakia

The karakia used daily by our tamariki and kaiako

Opening

Karakia Timatanga

Whakataka te hau ki uta, Whakataka te hau ki tai. Kia mākinakina ki uta, Kia mātaratara ki tai. E hī ake ana te atakura. He tio, he huka, he hau hū. Tūturu o whiti whakamaua kia tīna. Tīna! Hui e! Tāiki e!
Translation: Cease the winds from the west, cease the winds from the east. Let the breeze blow over the land, let the breeze blow over the ocean. Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air. A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day. Let there be togetherness. Affirmed!
Kai — Food

Karakia Kai

Nau mai e ngā hua o te wao, o te ngākina, o uta, o tai. Ko ngā hua i māhia e ngā ringaringa, Ārahia mai ki runga o tēnei tēpu. Nau mai, haere mai.
Translation: Welcome the fruits of the forest, of the cultivated land, of the shore, of the sea. The foods prepared by loving hands, brought to this table. Welcome, come forward.
Closing

Karakia Whakamutunga

Unuhia, unuhia, Unuhia ki uta, Kia wātea, kia māmā, Te ngākau, te tinana, Te wairua i tēnei wā. Āe rā. Hui e, tāiki e!
Translation: Remove, remove, remove to the shore. Be clear, be light, the heart, the body, the spirit at this time. Yes indeed. Affirmed!
Moe — Rest

Karakia Moe

E te Atua, Ārahina mātou I tēnei pō. Tiakina mātou I ngā mea katoa kino. Āmine.
Translation: O God, guide us through this night. Protect us from all that is harmful. Amen.
Ako — Learning

Karakia Ako

Kia hora te marino, Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, Hei huarahi mā tātou i tēnei rā. Ārahina mai, tūturu i ō mātou whakaaro, Kia tau ko ia. Āe rā, hui e, tāiki e!
Translation: May peace be widespread, may the sea be like greenstone, a pathway for us all this day. Guide and focus our thoughts so they may rest upon that. Yes indeed, affirmed!
Hauora — Wellbeing

Karakia Hauora

Tūturu whakamaua kia tīna, tīna! Hui e, tāiki e! Ko au ko koe, Ko koe ko au, Tātou katoa.
Translation: Be firmly established, affirmed! I am you, you are me, we are all together.

Whānau — Practice Together

We warmly invite whānau to learn these karakia alongside your tamariki. When the same words are spoken at home and at kura, our children experience the language as truly alive. If you would like help with pronunciation or meaning, please speak with one of our kaiako — we are always happy to support your journey with te reo Māori.