Bi-lingual signs sound files
Introductory sound files
Use these to get familiar with Māori pronunciation. If you have speakers or headphones on your computer simply click on the links to hear the words.
- Vowels
- Sing - the ng sound
- R
- Double-vowels
Signage with sound files
| English with mp3 sample | Meaning | Māori name | Pronounciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch City Libraries | Descriptive: Christchurch City baskets of knowledge and learning | Ngā Kete Wānanga-o-Ōtautahi | Ngā Ke-te Wā-na-nga o Ō-tau-ta-hi |
| Bestsellers | Descriptive: Famous / popular writings | Ngā Tuhinga Rongonui | Ngā Tu-hi-nga Ro-ngo-nu-i |
| Catalogue | Descriptive: List of treasures | Rārangi Taonga | Rā-ra-ngi Tao-nga |
| Children's Library | Traditional: House of entertainment | Whare Rēhia | Wha-re Rē-hi-a |
| Community Information | Descriptive: Village announcements | Ngā Pūkaeo o te Kāinga | Ngā Pū-ka-ea o te Ka-i-nga |
| Computers | Descriptive: Electric brains | Ngā Rorohiko | Ngā Ro-ro-hi-ko |
| Fiction | Descriptive: Constructed topics | Take Waihanga | Ta-ke Wai-ha-nga |
| Gardening | Traditional: Cultivation activities | Mahi ā Huawhenua | Ma-hi aa Hu-a-whe-nu-a |
| Homework Zone | Descriptive: Area for work done at home | Wāhi Mahi-Kāinga | Wā-hi Ma-hi Kāi-nga |
| Information | Descriptive: Spring that gives forth words of welcome | Puna Kōrero Whakatau | Pu-na Kō-re-ro Wha-ka-tau |
| Issues | Descriptive: Place things are given out | Wāhi Hoatu | Wā-hi Ho-a-tu |
| Large Print | Descriptive: Large writings | Ngā Tuhinga nui | Ngā Tu-hi-nga nu-i |
| Librarian | Descriptive: Main book person | Kai - Pukapuka Matua | Kai-pu-ka-pu-ka Ma-tu-a |
| Libraries Manager | Descriptive: Crown of the Head - person in charge | Tumuaki | Tu-mu-a-ki |
| Library Assistant | Descriptive: Support individual to main book person | Kōpuka Kai-Tuarā | Kō-pu-ka Kai-tu-a-rā |
| Magazines | Transliterated term | Ngā Mōheni | Ngā Mō-he-ni |
| Maori Resource Centre (Central City) | Descriptive: Maori Greenstone Treasures of New Zealand | Ngā Pounamu Māori o Aotearoa | Nga Pou-na-mu Mā-o-ri o Ao-tea-ro-a |
| Membership | Descriptive: Joining place | Wāhi Tūhonotanga | Wa-hi Tū-ho-no-ta-nga |
| Music | Descriptive: Sound treasures | Ngā Taonga Pūoro | Ngā Tao-nga Pū-o-ro |
| New Books | Descriptive: Books that are new | Ngā Pukapuka Hou | Ngā Pu-ka-pu-ka Hou |
| Newspapers | Descriptive: Written announcements | Nga Pūkaea ā Tuhinga | Ngā Pū-ka-ea aa Tu-hi-nga |
| Ngā Taonga Māori Collection | Maori treasures | Ngā Taonga Māori | Ngā Tao-nga Māo-ri |
| Non-fiction | Descriptive: Special topics | Take Motuhake | Ta-ke Mo-tu-ha-ke |
| Paperbacks | Descriptive: Soft coverings | Ngā Uhi Ngohe | Ngā U-hi Ngo-hi |
| Recent Returns | Descriptive: New returns | Ngā Hokinga Mai | Ngā Ho-ki-nga Hou |
| Reference | Descriptive: Words seen before | Kōrero Whakakitenga | Kō-re-ro Wha-ka-ri-te-nga |
| Returns | Descriptive: Repetitively come back | Ngā Hokinga Mai | Ngā Ho-ki-nga Ma-i |
| Self Issue | Descriptive: It is for you to despatch | Māu e Tuku | Mā-u e Tu-ku |
| Sport | Traditional: Physical exercise and sports | Hākinakina | Hā-ki-na-ki-na |
| Toilets | Descriptive: Small houses | Ngā Whare iti | Ngā Wha-re i-ti |
| Travel | Descriptive: Movements in groups | Ngā Takahaere | Ngā Ta-ka-hae-re |
| Young Adults | Descriptive: Area for teenagers | Wāhi Rangatahi | Wā-hi Ra-nga-ta-hi |

