NCEA Te Reo Matatini - Te Reo Whakaputa Co-requisite (NZQA Standard 32415) key terms

The act of producing spoken te reo Māori for an audience, including pronunciation, fluency, pace and clarity. It is assessed on how well meaning is delivered aloud, not only on grammar.

A spoken presentation or speech delivered in te reo Māori. It requires organised ideas, suitable vocabulary and awareness of the audience listening at the time.

Formal Māori oratory, typically delivered on a marae in response to a welcome. It follows recognised conventions of structure, acknowledgement and rhetorical style.

A greeting or formal acknowledgement that identifies the speaker and their connections to people, places and ancestors. It opens many spoken and written texts in te reo Māori.

A formulaic statement of identity that names one's mountain, river, tribe, marae and ancestors. It is used to introduce oneself in formal contexts.

An idiom or colloquial expression whose meaning is not predictable from its individual words. Using kīwaha appropriately shows natural, idiomatic command of te reo Māori.

A traditional proverb that carries ancestral wisdom and is often quoted to support a point. Correct use requires understanding its meaning and the context in which it fits.

A word. Vocabulary range is judged by the variety and precision of kupu chosen, including whether the right kupu is selected for the intended meaning.

A newly coined or modern word, often created for technology, education or contemporary life. Using kupu hou accurately shows awareness of how te reo Māori continues to develop.

Informal, everyday register used with friends, whānau and familiar settings. It contrasts with formal registers and is appropriate only when the audience and context allow it.

Formal register used in speeches, official writing, ceremonies and communication with strangers or elders. It involves careful word choice, fuller sentences and respectful address.

A person's own dialect or way of speaking, shaped by their iwi and community. Awareness of dialect variation helps a candidate avoid judging one form as the only correct one.

A sentence or statement. Well-formed rerenga kōrero have a clear subject, predicate and correct particles, and they join together to build coherent paragraphs.

Grammar, the system of rules for how words combine into phrases and sentences in te reo Māori. Accuracy in wetereo is one focus of the language accuracy domain.

An adjective or describing word that modifies a noun. In te reo Māori, kupu āhua follow particular patterns, and placing them correctly affects grammatical accuracy.

A verb, the word that expresses an action or state. Correct use of kupu mahi includes choosing the right tense marker and the right sentence structure around it.

A noun, a word naming a person, place, thing or idea. Recognising kupu ingoa helps a writer build sentences with accurate subjects and objects.

A short grammatical particle that signals relationships such as subject, object, possession or location. Choosing the correct pūriki is central to writing accurate te reo Māori.

A conjunction or joining word that links clauses and ideas, such as words meaning 'and', 'but' or 'because'. Good use of kupu tūhono improves flow and coherence.

Structure, the way a text or speech is organised from opening through body to ending. Clear hanganga helps the audience follow the ideas being presented.

The layout or arrangement of ideas and content in a piece of communication. A logical whakatakotoranga groups related points and places them in a helpful order.

The topic, theme or purpose of a text or speech. Keeping every paragraph connected to the kaupapa is essential for coherence.

An explanation or clarification that makes an idea understandable to the audience. Strong texts include whakamārama with examples rather than leaving claims unsupported.

Written production in te reo Māori, such as letters, reports, stories and formal correspondence. It is assessed on accuracy, range, structure and fitness for purpose.

A piece of writing or document. Different types of tuhinga, such as narrative, persuasive or informative, demand different structures and registers.

A letter, a common written text type in assessments. A formal reta needs correct address forms, an appropriate opening and closing, and a clear purpose.

A report, a written text that presents information or findings in an organised way. A pūrongo usually includes an introduction, sections of detail and a conclusion.

A story or narrative, whether traditional or original. Writing pakiwaitara well requires setting, characters, sequence of events and a satisfying ending.

Genealogy, the record of descent lines linking people to ancestors and places. It is a common topic in both spoken and written production and carries cultural significance.

Customary practice and correct conduct within Māori contexts. Awareness of tikanga guides which topics, registers and forms of address are appropriate in communication.

The protocol or set order governing a formal occasion, such as a pōwhiri. Understanding kawa helps a speaker choose the right sequence and tone for a speech.

The audience or listeners. Considering the hunga whakarongo means adjusting vocabulary, formality and amount of explanation to suit who is receiving the message.

The reason, issue or purpose behind a communication. A clear take helps a writer or speaker decide what to include and what to leave out.

A statement, proposition or claim put forward for consideration. In persuasive writing, a clear whakapae should be supported by evidence and explanation.

A summary that condenses the main points of a text or speech. Writing a good whakarāpopoto tests whether the key ideas have been understood and prioritised.

Pronunciation, the way words are spoken aloud, including vowel length and stress. Accurate whakahua is essential because errors can change meaning in te reo Māori.

Tense or time reference in a sentence, marked by particles that show past, present or future. Correct wā markers keep a narrative consistent and grammatically accurate.

A phrase, a group of words functioning as a unit within a sentence. Learning useful kīanga helps a candidate produce fluent language rather than translating word by word.