Not all Maori language is the same. Most areas have a different dialect. Now one of the largest iwi is asking the general public for help, to gather a million words to record their dialect.
Ngati Kahungungu tribal lands are from northern Wairoa through to southern Wairarapa. And if you were from Ngati Kahungunu you'd say "kai te pehea" instead of "kei te pehea".
The words in the ancient song of pinepine te kura are unique to the Ngati Kahungunu people.
“One of the lines in there which says, "e kai o mata ki te kohu e tatao. Feast your eyes on the close, pressing mist". There are things in Maori that are so poetic, you can't express in English,” says Ihaia Hutana, Poutiri-A-Reo.
Ihaia Hutana is working with a team of Ngati Kahungunu researchers to identify and reinstate the classical language of Ngati Kahungunu, in everyday use.
“It's just about returning to our classical language because a lot of the language our kids are learning doesn't have the classical aspect about it,” Hutana says.
They are searching for all maori words relating to Ngati Kahungunu from every oral source and text account possible, so they can identify a dialect and common words specific to Ngati Kahungunu.
These Hastings students are learning the standardised, common form of the Maori language but are keen to learn the Ngati Kahungunu language and dialect, because all of them live in the tribal area and some of them are from Ngati Kahungunu.
“It's kahungunu. Naturally we'll learn that and be able to find the variations for ourselves later,” says student Craig Pere.
“It's just a carry on thing from our tipuna, that saying as it comes, if you don't use it you'll lose it,” says Jason Roberts, student.
The researchers say if they don't find the million Maori words they need to analyse the unique language of Ngati Kahungunu, the language of their ancestors may be lost forever.
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