'Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamura' 
'When you understand the past, you know your future'

Whakataukī - Māori Proverbs  

​Whakataukī (proverbs) play a large role within Maori culture. They are used as a reference point in speeches and also as guidelines spoken to others day by day. It is a poetic form of the Māori language often merging historical events, or holistic perspectives with underlying messages which are extremely influential in Māori society.   Below are some common proverbs: 

'Ki te kāhore he whakakitenga ka ngaro te iwi'
'Without foresight or vision the people will be lost'

'Ahakoa he iti he pounamu'
'Although it is small it is a treasure'

'He hono tangata e kore e motu; ka pa he taura waka e motu'
'Unlike a canoe rope, a human bond cannot be severed'.

'He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata'
'Goodwill towards others is a precious treasure'

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