Practice makes perfect. As you rehearse and recite, the better your pronunciation and the more confident you will feel.
It is good etiquette to acknowledge when people come together. And important to take the time to frame meetings and gatherings.
How do karakia help us value people, our time and focus our purpose?
It is probably best to think about a practical example or upcoming gathering that you are preparing for.
Think about a future scenario and what type of karakia you will need to use.
Are you going to be chairing and opening a meeting, e.g. karakia timatanga, are you going to be called upon to close out the hui e.g. karakia whakamutunga or are you feeding guests, and will the food need to be acknowledged karakia mō te kai?
Your kaiako will create a scenario where you will need to choose and recite the karakia that is appropriate for the occasion.
Select the appropriate karakia and recite it with your kaiako.
Another useful method is to either rehearse in front of a mirror and think about your body language and gestures.
Or try just making an audio recording on your phone, tablet or laptop and then playing back the audio file.
Self-assess and identify areas of strength and areas of development.
Whakamihi! (Congrats). You did it. You have completed our short course on karakia.
Here are some pātai (questions) to support your whaiwhakaaro (reflection).
| How do I say/pronounce ____ in Māori? | He aha te kupu Māori _____? |
| What does ______ mean? | He aha te kupu ____? |
| Can you repeat that? |
Kōrero mai anō? |
| Is my pronunciation right? | Kei te tika taku whakahua i te kupu ___? |
| Why? | He aha i pērā ai? |
| What made it so? | Nā te aha i pērā / pēnā ai? |
| What is your thinking? | He aha tō whakaaro? |
| What is your knowledge? | He aha tō mōhio? |