Māori praise phrases are a simple way to encourage and celebrate learners. This page includes commonly used expressions, their meanings, and how to use them in your teaching.
Using Māori praise phrases in your feedback adds warmth, motivation, and cultural connection. These expressions are short, positive, and easy to use in spoken or written messages.
You can include praise phrases in Canvas comments, email messages, class discussions, or face-to-face conversations. It’s a small change that shows respect and helps normalise te reo Māori in everyday learning environments.
Here are some useful praise phrases and their meanings:
| Ngā mihi whakanui/akiaki | Praise phrases |
|---|---|
| Ka pai | Good |
| Tino pai | Very good |
| Ka Rawe | Excellent |
| Mīharo | Wonderful |
| Ka mau te wehi | Fantastic |
| Tau kē | Awesome |
| Kia kaha | Be strong / Keep going |
| Tūmeke | Too much! |
| Tino ātaahua | Beautiful |
| Ka wani kē | Amazing |
| Kei reira | That’s the one! |
| Karawhiua! | Give it all you’ve got! |
| Māmā noa iho! | Easy as! |
| Kei runga noa atu | Great work! |
These phrases work well on their own or alongside your usual comments. You might say, “Ka rawe! Great structure in your answer,” or “Tino pai – I can see your effort.”
As a bonus, we’ve created digital stickers with these praise phrases. You can use them in Canvas to make your comments more visual and fun.
Want to learn more? Take a look at the book: Ngā Mihi Whakanui Ngā Mihi Akiaki
