School & Education

1. Kei hea te kura / whare wānanga tata rawa atu?

   kei he-a te ku-ra / wha-re wā-na-nga ta-ta ra-wa a-tu

   Where is the nearest school / university?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the location of a nearby school or university

   Grammar Note

   "kei hea" asks about current location. "tata rawa atu" is a superlative meaning "the nearest"

2. E hiahia ana ahau ki te rēhita ki tētahi akoranga reo.

   e hi-a-hi-a a-na a-hau ki te rē-hi-ta ki tē-ta-hi a-ko-ra-nga re-o

   I'd like to enroll in a language course.

   Usage

   Expressing desire to enroll in a language course

   Grammar Note

   Māori uses VSO word order. The verb "hiahia" (to want) comes first in the sentence

3. Ka taea e au te toro atu ki te kura, ki te whare wānanga rānei?

   ka tae-a e au te to-ro a-tu ki te ku-ra ki te wha-re wā-na-nga rā-nei

   Can I visit the school / campus?

   Usage

   Asking for permission to visit a school or campus

   Grammar Note

   "ka taea" expresses possibility/ability. "e" is the agent marker in Māori grammar

4. He aha ngā kaupapa e whakaakona ana i konei?

   he a-ha ngā kau-pa-pa e wha-ka-a-ko-na a-na i ko-nei

   What subjects are taught here?

   Usage

   Asking about the subjects taught at a school

   Grammar Note

   "whakaakona ana" is the passive continuous form. Māori passive adds "-ina/-a" to verb stems

5. E hia te utu o te akoranga?

   e hi-a te u-tu o te a-ko-ra-nga

   How much is the tuition fee?

   Usage

   Asking about the cost of tuition

   Grammar Note

   "e hia" asks about quantity or price. "utu" refers broadly to payment, reciprocation, or fee

6. E kimi ana ahau i tētahi kaiako takitahi.

   e ki-mi a-na a-hau i tē-ta-hi kai-a-ko ta-ki-ta-hi

   I'm looking for a private tutor.

   Usage

   Saying you are looking for a private tutor

   Grammar Note

   "e ... ana" forms the continuous tense. "kaiako" combines "kai-" (agent) and "ako" (to teach)

7. Kei hea te whare pukapuka?

   kei he-a te wha-re pu-ka-pu-ka

   Where is the library?

   Usage

   Asking for the location of the library

   Grammar Note

   "whare pukapuka" combines "whare" (house/building) and "pukapuka" (book) — literally "book house"

8. He akoranga ipurangi tā koutou?

   he a-ko-ra-nga i-pu-ra-ngi tā kou-tou

   Do you offer online courses?

   Usage

   Asking whether online courses are available

   Grammar Note

   "ipurangi" is the Māori word for internet — combining "ipu" (container/vessel) and "rangi" (sky)

9. Me whakaaetia ōku tohu mātauranga.

   me wha-ka-ae-ti-a ō-ku to-hu mā-tau-ra-nga

   I need to get my qualifications recognized.

   Usage

   Used when seeking official recognition of foreign qualifications

   Grammar Note

   "me" expresses obligation or advice. "whakaaetia" is the passive of "whakaae" (to agree/recognize)

10. He utu iti ake mō ngā ākonga?

    he u-tu i-ti a-ke mō ngā ā-ko-nga

    Is there a student discount available?

    Usage

    Asking if a student discount is available

    Grammar Note

    "iti ake" is a comparative meaning "lesser/cheaper". "mō" is the preposition for beneficiaries

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