Mauri nui, Mauri roa

Mauri nui

Mauri roa

Mauri ora ki ngā pūkenga

Mauri ora ki ngā tauira

Tau mai hā-nuku

Tau mai hā-rangi

Rukutia iho kia ū, kia mau

Haumi ē, hui ē, tāiki ē!

Karakia have been an integral part of Māori culture since time immemorial. A karakia can be defined as a formula of words recited for a specific purpose. Therefore, karakia can be related to any aspect of our lives if we so choose.

The above karakia refers to mauri, which is the energy of life itself, it is an essential life force that is necessary for life to exist. The phrase 'mauri nui' refers to the greatness and immensity of the mauri of the universe and humanity. 'Mauri roa' refers to the infinite nature of this same mauri, the mauri of the universe and humanity. 'Mauri ora ki ngā pūkenga, mauri ora ki ngā tauira' refers to a desired outcome for all of those who are pūkenga (learned ones) and tauira (students) to be in a state of mauri ora (alive, healthy). As each of us are learned in some fields and students in others the acknowledgement of pūkenga and tauira is an acknowledgement of everyone. In the lines 'tau mai hā-nuku, tau mai hā-rangi' the hā (breath, essence) of Papatūānuku (Earth) and Ranginui (Sky) are acknowledged as life on Earth is determined by their relationship. We, as humans, exist in between these awesome forces and our mauri ora is dependent on Papatūānuku and Ranginui. 'Rukutia iho kia ū, kia mau' refers to an ancient Māori practice of using harakeke (flax) to bind and lash things together, such as parts of whare (houses), waka (vessels) and traditional tools. Therefore, all of the previous references in the karakia up until this point are commanded to be bound to us, to be connected to us, to be realised and to come to fruition. The last line, 'haumi ē, hui ē, tāiki ē', refers to those present being in agreement of the contents of the karakia.

Karakia can help to promote a sense of stability in times of unease or ambiguity. They can help us to slow down, to gather our thoughts and composure when needed. Reciting karakia is an ancient Māori practice that allows us to connect through language, thought and spirit to the mana of our ancestors.

Te Ra Moriarty

'Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne

Master of Arts in Māori Studies