8 Sep 2025Next week, Aotearoa celebrates Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) – a chance to honour te reo, an official language of New Zealand, and weave it into our daily lives.
At Emergency Consult, we’re proud to join in this celebration. As a telehealth provider, communication is at the heart of what we do. And even the smallest steps – like greeting someone with a “Kia ora” – can help normalise te reo in our everyday interactions.
Healthcare kupu (words) to try next week
Here are some useful health-related words and phrases in te reo Māori that you might hear, or like to try out:
• Kia ora – Hello / Thank you / A general expression of wellbeing
• Kei te māuiui au – I feel sick
• Tākuta – Doctor
• Tapuhi – Nurse
• Mamae – Sore, ache, painful
• Kei te mamae tōku puku – My stomach is sore
• He aha te rongoā? – What is the medicine/treatment?
• Āwhina – Help, assistance
• Whānau – Family (an important part of health and healing)
Why it matters
Te reo Māori is more than just words – it carries culture, identity, and connection. When we use even a few kupu Māori in our healthcare conversations, we:
• Show respect for the language and culture of tangata whenua
• Build trust and warmth with patients and whānau
• Help normalise te reo so it thrives for generations to come
Have a go!
You don’t have to be fluent to take part in Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Start simple:
• Greet your colleagues or whānau with “Kia ora”
• Thank someone with “Ngā mihi”
• Practice one new health-related phrase a day
• Encourage tamariki (children) to share the kupu they’re learning at school
At Emergency Consult, we believe healthcare is about people first – and language is a vital part of connection. This Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we encourage everyone to have a go, make mistakes, and add a little reo Māori flavour to your everyday kōrero.
Kia kaha te reo Māori – let’s keep the language strong!
Pictured: Emergency Consult's Dr Kiri Manning onscreen for a video consultation.