Airport & Customs

1. Whakaatu mai i tō uruwhenua, tēnā koa

   wha-ka-a-tu mai i tō u-ru-whe-nu-a, tē-nā ko-a

   Please show your passport

   Usage

   Standard phrase used by immigration officers

   Grammar Note

   Māori is a VSO (verb-subject-object) language. The directional particle "mai" after a verb means "toward the speaker", so "whakaatu mai" = "show (it to) me"

2. He aha te take o tō haerenga mai?

   he a-ha te ta-ke o tō hae-re-nga mai

   What is the purpose of your visit?

   Usage

   Standard immigration question

   Grammar Note

   "He aha" = what

3. E hia ngā pō e whakaaro ana koe ki te noho?

   e hi-a ngā pō e wha-ka-a-ro a-na koe ki te no-ho

   How many nights are you planning to stay?

   Usage

   Commonly asked at immigration

   Grammar Note

   "E hia" = how many

4. He aha kei a koe hei whakapuaki?

   he a-ha kei a koe hei wha-ka-pu-a-ki

   Do you have anything to declare?

   Usage

   Asked at customs

   Grammar Note

   "He aha" = what

5. Kāore anō tōku tueke kia tae mai

   kā-o-re a-nō tō-ku tu-e-ke ki-a tae mai

   My luggage hasn't arrived

   Usage

   Tell baggage claim staff

   Grammar Note

   "Kāore anō … kia …" = not yet

6. He tueke ā-ringa tēnei

   he tu-e-ke ā-ri-nga tē-nei

   This is carry-on luggage

   Usage

   Tell airline staff at check-in or boarding gate

   Grammar Note

   The prefix "ā-" forms "by/of" phrases (mahi ā-ringa = handwork), so "tueke ā-ringa" = hand luggage

7. Kei te whakawhiti au ki tētahi atu rerenga

   kei te wha-ka-whi-ti au ki tē-ta-hi a-tu re-re-nga

   I'm in transit

   Usage

   Used at transit counters or immigration

   Grammar Note

   "Whakawhiti" = to cross over / transfer; "rerenga" = flight

8. Kei hea te kēti?

   kei he-a te kē-ti

   Where is the gate?

   Usage

   Ask when looking for your boarding gate

   Grammar Note

   "Kei hea" = where

9. Āhea tīmata ai te whakaeke?

   ā-he-a tī-ma-ta ai te wha-kae-ke

   When does boarding begin?

   Usage

   Ask while waiting at the boarding gate

   Grammar Note

   "Āhea" = when (future); "whakaeke" = to board / embark

10. Kei hea te toa kore tāke?

    kei he-a te to-a ko-re tā-ke

    Where is the duty-free shop?

    Usage

    Ask after clearing security

    Grammar Note

    "toa" = shop, "kore" = without, "tāke" = tax

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