Nz Radio Training School

Kīwaha? What is it and why is it so important to the survival of the Māori language? Pro-fessor Wharehuia Milroy describes kīwaha as a unique language expression derived from the personal learning experience of the author during an event. It may make no sense to anyone else but the author, their immediate family, or people. Kīwaha can be termed as an informal language tool, slang or idiom that expresses the emotional state of a speaker. In support of the revitalisation of the Māori language, we have selected 10 kīwaha from Ngā Rauru, Whanganui and Taranaki. These are all presented using our Māori language and our special mita (rhythm). That is the “h” is not strongly enunciated when Taranaki, Whanganui and Ngā Rauru speak. Today’s kīwaha is “Āna”. Its English equivalent can be termed as, informal yes/yeah, yet to be confirmed. “E haere ana koe ki te takutai?” “Āna.” “You going to the beach?” “Yeah…nah” Photo Credit: https://www.google.com/