Te motokā
Car
Usage
Borrowed from English "motor car"; the same form used in the car rental set
Te pahi
Bus
Usage
A bus stop is "tūnga pahi"; between towns, InterCity coaches do most of the work
Te tākihi
Taxi
Usage
Borrowed from English; in the cities, ride-hailing apps are more common
Te taraka
Truck
Usage
Borrowed from English; take care overtaking them on single-lane highways
Te motupaika
Motorbike
Usage
Also spelled "motopaika"; both are loans from English
Te pahikara
Bicycle
Usage
Also spelled "paihikara"; the country has a national cycle trail network
Te tereina
Train
Usage
Commuter rail exists only in Auckland and Wellington; long distance means a handful of scenic services
Te waka rererangi
Aeroplane
Usage
Literally "the vehicle that flies in the sky"; an airport is "taunga rererangi"
Te waka tere
Ferry
Usage
The word for the Cook Strait crossings such as the Interislander
Te tima
Steamer / ship
Usage
Borrowed from English "steamer"; it can also mean a ferry
Te kaipuke
Ship
Usage
A large vessel including sailing ships; common in historical accounts
Te poti
Boat
Usage
Borrowed from English; used for smaller craft
Te waka
Canoe / vehicle
Usage
Originally the canoe, now any vehicle; the name of an ancestral canoe still marks which people a person belongs to
Te waka ama
Outrigger canoe
Usage
"Ama" is the float; it is also a competitive sport with visitor sessions available
Te waka taua
Ceremonial war canoe
Usage
The large carved canoe paddled out on ceremonial occasions such as Waitangi Day
Te waka tūroro
Ambulance
Usage
"Tūroro" means a patient; in an emergency dial 111
More Māori phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences