Sustainability & Eco

1. Ko hea e taea ai te hangarua i tēnei?

   ko he-a e tae-a ai te ha-nga-ru-a i tē-nei

   Where can I recycle this?

   Usage

   Used when looking for a recycling point or bin.

   Grammar Note

   "Ko hea e taea ai te ..." is the pattern for "where can one ..." (compare Ko hea e taea ai te reti ...). The word for recycling is "hangarua" (example: "Me hangarua ngā utauta kirihou …"; "taupuni hangarua" = recycling centre)

2. He kete whakamahia anō ō koutou?

   he ke-te wha-ka-ma-hi-a a-nō ō kou-tou

   Do you have reusable bags?

   Usage

   Asking whether reusable bags are available at a shop.

   Grammar Note

   "kete" traditionally refers to a woven flax basket but is used broadly for bags in modern context.

3. He wāhi moe atawhai ki te taiao?

   he wā-hi moe a-ta-wha-i ki te tai-ao

   Is there eco-friendly accommodation?

   Usage

   Asking about green or eco-friendly accommodation options.

   Grammar Note

   "taiao" means the natural world — a key concept in Māori environmental thinking. "atawhai ki" means "caring for / kind to".

4. E hiahia ana au ki te whakakī i tōku pātara wai.

   e hi-a-hi-a a-na au ki te wha-ka-kī i tō-ku pā-ta-ra wai

   I'd like to refill my water bottle.

   Usage

   Asking to have a reusable bottle refilled to avoid buying single-use plastic.

   Grammar Note

   "hiahia ana" expresses desire. "ki te" is the infinitive marker placed before the verb.

5. He kai kaimanga, karohuarehe rānei?

   he kai kai-ma-nga, ka-ro-hu-a-re-he rā-nei

   Are there vegetarian or vegan options?

   Usage

   Asking at a food venue if meat-free or fully plant-based options are available.

   Grammar Note

   Use "kaimanga" for vegetarian and "karohuarehe" for vegan. "Rānei" means "or" in alternative questions.

6. Me pēhea tōku haere ki ... mā ngā waka tūmatanui?

   me pē-he-a tō-ku hae-re ki ... mā ngā wa-ka tū-ma-ta-nui

   How can I take public transport to...?

   Usage

   Asking how to travel somewhere using buses or trains.

   Grammar Note

   "me pēhea" asks "how should/can I". "mā" is a preposition indicating means or agent.

7. Ko hea te mākete ā-rohe tata rawa atu?

   ko he-a te mā-ke-te ā-ro-he ta-ta ra-wa a-tu

   Where is the nearest local market?

   Usage

   Asking where the nearest local produce market is.

   Grammar Note

   "Tata rawa atu" is the superlative "nearest", with "rawa atu" as the intensifier. "Ā-rohe" means local/regional.

8. Tēnā koa, whakamahia iti rawa atu ngā takai.

   tē-nā ko-a, wha-ka-ma-hi-a i-ti ra-wa a-tu ngā ta-kai

   Please use minimal packaging.

   Usage

   Requesting that a seller use as little wrapping as possible.

   Grammar Note

   "whakamahia" is the imperative of "whakamahi" (to use). "iti rawa atu" is a superlative phrase for "as little as possible".

9. He aha ngā mahi tāpoi taiao e wātea ana i konei?

   he a-ha ngā ma-hi tā-poi tai-ao e wā-te-a a-na i ko-nei

   What eco-tourism activities are available here?

   Usage

   Asking about environmentally responsible tourism activities in the local area.

   Grammar Note

   "taiao" is the Māori word for the natural world. "he aha" is an interrogative asking "what is/are?"

10. E hiahia ana au ki te utu ake i ōku tapuae haurehu.

    e hi-a-hi-a a-na au ki te u-tu a-ke i ō-ku ta-pu-ae hau-re-hu

    I want to offset my carbon footprint.

    Usage

    Expressing a desire to compensate for carbon emissions through offsets or tree planting.

    Grammar Note

    "tapuae haurehu" literally means "misty footprint" — a poetic Māori rendering of carbon footprint. "utu ake" means "to repay/offset".

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