The Maori alphabet has only 20 letters, consisting of the English alphabets a, e, h, i, k, m, n, o, p, r, t, u, w, ng, and wh. The other 5 alphabets are long vowels, which include a horizontal stroke over the vowels.
There is a catchy song to the tune of ‘Stupid Cupid’ that they used in kindergarten and preschool to teach children how to pronounce Maori. It feels a bit like being in a kindergarten.
I had friends who took a Maori course at university to learn the language and better understand the Maori culture. The first time I heard this song they were singing in the patio of our classroom. The song just sticks in your head forever.
Also, it is useful for learning how to pronounce basic Maori words. Many places in New Zealand use Maori names, only the larger cities have English names. Also, it’s good to learn a bit of a new language.
How to pronounce Maori vowels?
A E I O U
Sounds like: Are there three or two?
Pronounce NG as in Singer.
Pronounce WH like an F.
Maori Alphabet Song Lyrics ‘Stupid Cupid’
A haka mana for tawa ngawha
E heke mene pere tewe ngewhe
I hiki mini piri tiwi ngiwhi
O hoko mono pore towo ngowho
A – E – I – O – U (sounds like “are there three or two?”)
u huku munu puru tuwu nguwhu
Practice a couple of times with the chant and you will probably become familiar with the Maori pronunciation.
Maori Alphabet Song (Version 2)
Do you think you need more practice?
Try this challenging ‘reverse’ version on your own. Sing along to the tune of Stupid Cupid too.
U whungu wutu rupu numu kuhu
O whongo woto ropo nomo koho
I whingi witi ripi nimi kihi
E whenge wete repe neme kehe
U – O – I – E – A (sounds like “you to me em-ma”)
A whanga wata rapa nama kaha
Happy singing!