Karakia have many functions. They can be used to set intentions, welcome and bless others or encourage support. Karakia can help set the tone in community meetings (hui), express thanks and be a tool for mindset. In te ao Māori – the Māori world, they are are part of every day life with some being used to deter negative thoughts and influences, they will often have a spiritual element and will always have a deeper meaning of connection to whakapapa and the natural world.
Karakia Timatanga
Karakia to use at the start of the day or a meeting to set your intentions and begin with calm.
Ko te pū
Ko te pū
Te more
Te weu
Te aka
Te rea
Ko te wao nui
Te kune
Te whē
Te kore
Te pō
Ki ngā tangata Māori
Nā Rangi rāua ko Papa
Ko tēnei te tīmatanga o te ao
.
In the beginning there was darkness.
Te kore was full of potential
and from it grew consciousness.
An energy that grew and led into
te pō, the time of the long night.
As te pō went on, life began as the creation of two supreme atua (deities).
Ranginui the sky father and Papatūānuku the earth mother.
Whakataka Te Hau
Whakataka te hau ki te uru
Whakataka te hau ki te tonga
Kia mākinakina ki uta
Kia mātaratara ki tai
E hī ake ana te atakura
He tio
He huka
He hauhunga
Tihei mauri ora!
.
(Listen)
This is an ancient karakia that was used when you were out at sea and a storm was approaching, derived from a longer karakia that recounts the survival of the waka Takitimu during a dangerous storm due to its superior construction and management. It’s a particularly good choice for in colder months. Whakataka Te Hau is now widely used at the start of the day or at the beginning of a meeting, with the storm being a metaphor for any life-threatening force.
Cease the winds from the west
Cease the winds from the south
Let the breeze blow over the land
Let the breeze blow over the ocean
Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air
A touch of frost
Puritia mai
Puritia mai rā te tika hei kōrero
Puritia mai rā te pono hei wānanga
Puritia mai rā te aroha hei awhina i te ngākau
A tangata
Kia tū, Kia atea, Kia mārama
Hui ē, Tāiki ē!
.
Allow the truth of the mind to speak freely
Allow the truth of the heart to learn
Allow the love of humanity to
be open to the opportunities
So as to stand unencumbered
and with clarity
Let us be one
We have united in conscious thoughts
Tūtawa mai i runga
Tūtawa mai i runga
Tūtawa mai i raro
Tūtawa mai i roto
Tūtawa mai i waho
Kia tau ai
Te mauri tū
Te mauri ora
Ki te katoa
Haumi e
, Hui e
, Tāiki e!
This karakia was written by Scotty Morrison and is heard and taught nationwide.
Come forth from above
below
within
and from
the environment
Vitality
and well being
For all
Strengthened in unity.
Te Karakia o te Atua
Kia tapu tou Ingoa
Kia tae mai tou rangatira-tanga.
Kia meatia tau e pai ai
ki runga i te whenua,
kia rite ano ki to te rangi.
Homai ki a mātou aianei
he taro mā mātou mo tēnei ra.
Murua o mātou hara
Me mātou hoki e muru nei
i o te hunga e hara ana ki a mātou.
Aua hoki mātou e kawea kia whaka-waia;
Engari whaka-orangia mātou, i te kino:
Nou hoki te rangatira-tanga,
te kaha,
me te kororia,
Ake, ake, ake.
Āmine.
The Lords Prayer
Sacred is your Name
Bring us Your Chiefly rule
May it happen in the way that is
to You, good
may it happen on earth
In the same way as in spirit world
Give us now
The food we need this day
Strip us of our sins
Give us back what we have lost
So that we, the slaves of sin, may
be with you again
Do not lead us into temptation
May we be whole, away from things evil
Through your chiefly position, is
the power
and the glory
Forever and ever
Amen
E Toru Ngā Mea
E toru ngā mea
Ngā mea nui
E kī ana
Te Paipera
Tūmanako
Whakapono
Ko te mea nui
Ko te aroha
E Toru Ngā Mea is a popular hīmene or Māori hymn
There are three things
Very important things
As stated in
The Bible
Hope
Faith
And the greatest thing
Charity / Love
Karakia Mo Te Kai
Karakia to use for blessing and showing gratitude for food
Karakia mo te kai
Nau mai e ngā hua
o te wao
o te ngakina
o te wai tai
o te wai Māori
Nā Tane
Nā Rongo
Nā Tangaroa
Nā Maru
Ko Ranginui e tū iho nei
Ko Papatūānuku e takoto nei
Tuturu whakamaua
Kia tina! TINA! Hui e! TĀIKI E!
Welcome the gifts of food
from the sacred forests
from the cultivated gardens
from the sea
from the fresh waters
The food of Tane
of Rongo
of Tangaroa
of Maru
I acknowledge Ranginui who
is above me, Papatuanuku who
lies beneath me
Let this be my commitment to all!Draw together! Affirm!
Karakia Whakamutunga
Karakia to use at the end of a meeting or the day.
Whakamaua te kōrero
Whakamaua te kōrero
Whakamaua te wānanga
Whakamaua ki a Ranginui e tū
Iho nei
Whakamaua ki a Papatuānuku
E takoto ake nei
Whakatina ki te tumu o te
māramatanga
Kia tina! Tina.
Hui e!
Tāiki e!
Affirm these discussions
Affirm these learnings.
Affirm before Ranginui
above,
Affirm before Papatuānuku
below.
Bind these utterances to the pillar
of understanding.
Bind it firm.
Let us be one!
We have united in conscious thought!
Kia inoi tātou
Kia hū
Kia marino
Kia whaka-moe-miti
Kia manatu
Kia mā-rohi-rohi
Kia tuku
Kia rite
Kia tina
Tina,
Haumi e hui e taiki e
Pause
Be calm
Be thankful
Be mindful
Be resolute
Be released
Be ready
Keep at it
Continue on
Agreeance
Kia tau ki a tātou katoa
Te atawhai o tō tātou Ariki, a Ihu Karaiti
Me te aroha o te Atua
Me te whiwhingatahitanga
Ki te wairua tapu
Ake, ake, ake
Amine
(2 Corinthians, 13:14)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all
Forever and ever
Amen
Kua mutu ā mātou mahi
Mō tēnei wā
Manaakitia mai mātou katoa
ō mātou hoa
ō mātou whānau
Āio ki te Aorangi.
Kaitito: Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru
This karakia can be used at the end of the day, meetings, sessions, or workshops. Blessing everyone present, as well as their families and friends
Our work is finished
For the moment
Bless us all
Our friends
Our families
Peace to the Universe.