Shopping

1. E hia te utu o tēnei?

   e hi-a te u-tu o tē-nei

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   The most basic shopping phrase for asking the price.

   Grammar Note

   `E hia` asks for quantity or price. `O` is a possessive/relational preposition. New Zealand dollar (NZD) is the currency.

2. Ka hoko au i tēnei

   ka ho-ko au i tē-nei

   I will buy this

   Usage

   Used when you have decided to make a purchase.

   Grammar Note

   Māori VSO order: verb `Ka hoko` + subject `au` + object `i tēnei`. Object marker `i` precedes the object. `Hoko` means both buy and sell.

3. He nui rawa atu te utu

   he nui ra-wa a-tu te u-tu

   The price is too high

   Usage

   Used when the price seems too high. Can open price negotiations.

   Grammar Note

   `Rawa atu` expresses excess, equivalent to `too`. Works with any adjective: `He nui rawa atu` (too big), `He iti rawa atu` (too small).

4. Ka taea e koe te whakaiti i te utu?

   ka tae-a e koe te wha-kai-ti i te u-tu

   Can you lower the price?

   Usage

   Used for price negotiation.

   Grammar Note

   `Whaka-iti` = `whaka-` (causative) + `iti` (small): to reduce/make smaller. Pattern: `whakanui` (enlarge), `whakahou` (renew).

5. He aha ēnei mahi toi?

   he a-ha ē-nei ma-hi toi

   What are these artworks / crafts?

   Usage

   Used to ask about Māori traditional crafts or artworks.

   Grammar Note

   `Mahi toi` refers to artworks and crafts. Traditional Māori arts include tā moko (tattooing), whakairo (carving), tāniko (weaving), and pounamu (greenstone/jade) work.

6. He pounamu tūturu tēnei?

   he pou-na-mu tū-tu-ru tē-nei

   Is this genuine pounamu (greenstone)?

   Usage

   Used to verify the authenticity of pounamu (greenstone) souvenirs.

   Grammar Note

   Pounamu is a semi-precious stone from the South Island (Te Wāhipounamu), sacred in Māori culture. Look for certified authentic pieces when shopping.

7. He aha te tikanga o tēnei taonga?

   he a-ha te ti-ka-nga o tē-nei tao-nga

   What is the meaning of this treasure / artwork?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the cultural meaning of a Māori craft or ornament.

   Grammar Note

   `Taonga` is a key Māori concept covering all treasures, material and immaterial. The Treaty of Waitangi protects Māori taonga (treasures/heritage). `Tikanga` here means meaning or significance.

8. Āe, ka hoko au i ēnei

   ā-e, ka ho-ko au i ē-nei

   Yes, I will buy these

   Usage

   Used to indicate purchasing multiple items.

   Grammar Note

   Māori demonstratives vary by distance. Singular/plural: `tēnei/ēnei` (this/these), `tēnā/ēnā` (that/those near you), `tērā/ērā` (that/those over there).

9. Kei hea te toa hokohoko?

   kei he-a te to-a ho-ko-ho-ko

   Where is the souvenir shop?

   Usage

   Used to find a souvenir or gift shop.

   Grammar Note

   Māori reduplication of verbs expresses repeated/continuous action. `Hoko` (buy/sell) → `hokohoko` (repeated trading = commerce).

10. He aha ngā taonga Māori?

    he a-ha ngā tao-nga Mā-o-ri

    What are traditional Māori treasures / souvenirs?

    Usage

    Used when looking for traditional Māori crafts and souvenirs.

    Grammar Note

    Popular Māori crafts: pounamu (jade) jewelry, kete (woven baskets), items with tā moko designs, wood carvings. When buying, check who made the item and where it comes from.

11. Kāo, kāhore au e hiahia ana

    kā-o, kā-ho-re au e hi-a-hi-a a-na

    No, I don't need it / No thank you

    Usage

    Used to decline an unwanted offer or product.

    Grammar Note

    "Kāhore" is the general Māori negation word. "Kāhore au e hiahia ana" = I don't want it. A simple "Kāo" (no) also works.

12. Kāore au i te hiahia rihīti

    kā-o-re au i te hi-a-hi-a ri-hī-ti

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Used to decline a receipt when it is offered.

    Grammar Note

    "Kāore … i te …" is the standard present-tense negation. "Rihīti" is a loan from English "receipt".

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