No more lip-syncing waiata with Te Kūaha

Te Kūaha, the University’s te reo Māori and tikanga app, has been relaunched with a new look and features aligned with the University’s new Te Reo Māori Revitalisation Strategy, He Makau Mauroa.

Designed as a practical tool for everyday university life, Te Kūaha gives users easy access to karakia and waiata commonly used at the University, helping people take part in meetings, events and gatherings with confidence.

Have you ever been put on the spot to open with a karakia but didn’t know what to say? Or joined in a waiata tautoko without knowing the words and found yourself lip-syncing along? Te Kūaha helps with exactly that, providing the words, pronunciation and guidance so users can learn and practise.

The app also helps people – Māori and non-Māori – create their own pepeha, strengthening connections to their identity, place and community within the University environment.

Meaning “the doorway”, Te Kūaha is designed as a starting point for people beginning their journey with te reo Māori.

Kaitiaki Te Reo Māori Robbie Paora (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, Te Uri o Hau) says the app helps lower the barrier for people who want to participate but may need a boost.

“Many people want to take part in te reo Māori and tikanga but feel unsure about where to start. Te Kūaha gives people a place to begin, whether that’s learning a karakia, joining a waiata or introducing themselves with a pepeha.”

Kaiarataki Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori Michael Steedman (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) says the tool supports the wider goal of normalising te reo Māori across the University.

“Our aim is to make te reo Māori a natural part of everyday life at Waipapa Taumata Rau. Tools like Te Kūaha help tauira and kaimahi build confidence so that using the language becomes something people feel comfortable doing in meetings, events and across campus.”