Te reo Māori: Building and Construction Terms
Last updated: 27 October 2023
MBIE have developed an agreed list of translated terms used in the building system. These terms have been created and approved by certified translators with Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori/The Māori Language Commission.
Māori are active participants across all areas of the building and construction industry.
Partnering and maintaining strong relationships is essential to providing the environment for meaningful participation by Māori in sector conversations and decision making. The inclusion of te reo Māori within the building regulatory system is important. Using te reo Māori promotes equity and inclusivity by ensuring that our services and information are accessible to both Māori and non-Māori speakers of the language.
You will see these translated terms used across our services and information channels. We will always include the English translation of te reo Māori in our public information.
Building terms glossary
|
Kupu Māori (Māori word) |
Kupu Pākeha (English word) |
|---|---|
|
Āheinga |
Accessible |
|
Āhuarangi Takahurihuri |
Climate Change |
|
Apiapi Nunui |
Density (High) |
|
Apiapi Pāpaku |
Density (Low) |
|
Apiapi Wawaenga |
Density (Medium) |
|
Ārai Wai Uru Whare |
Weathertightness |
|
Arotake Whare Hohoro |
Rapid Building Assessment |
|
Arumoni |
Commercial |
|
Hātepe Whakamana |
Verification Method |
|
Haukū-o-roto |
Moisture (Internal) |
|
Haukū-o-waho |
Moisture (External) |
|
Haumaru |
Safe |
|
Haumaru Kaiwhakamahi |
Safety of User |
|
Haumarutanga Ahi |
Fire Safety |
|
Herenga Āhuatanga |
Functional Requirement |
|
Hoahoa |
Design |
|
Hōtaka Mahi Rū Whenua |
Seismic Work Program |
|
Kaiarotake Whare Hohoro |
Rapid Building Assessor |
|
Kaihoahoa |
Designer |
|
Kaihoahoa (hangatanga) |
Architect |
|
Kaimahi ā-rehe |
Tradie/Tradesperson |
|
Kaimahi Haurehu |
Gas Fitter |
|
Kaimahi Kōrere Wai |
Plumber |
|
Kaimahi Wāra |
Drain Layer |
|
Kāinga |
Residential |
|
Kāinga atamai |
Smarter Homes |
|
Kāinga Tuaiti |
Tiny Home |
|
Kaipūhanga |
Engineer |
|
Kaipūhanga Ahi |
Fire Engineer |
|
Kairīhi |
Tenant |
|
Kaiwaihanga |
Builder |
|
Kaiwhiwhi Kāinga |
Homeowner |
|
Kaiwhiwhi Whare |
Building Owner |
|
Kaupapahere |
Policy |
|
Kiritaki |
Consumer |
|
Kounga |
Standard |
|
Mahere Whakaiti Parapara |
Waste Minimisation Plan |
|
Mahi Hangatanga / Whakatū Whare |
Building Work |
|
Marea |
Public |
|
Maru Kiritaki |
Consumer Protection |
|
Maru Pāpuni |
Dam Safety |
|
Mōrearea |
Hazard |
|
Ngā Mana Whakaae Hangatanga |
Building Consent Authorities |
|
Ngā Ture Hangatanga |
Building Regulations |
|
Pakari |
Resilient |
|
Pāpuni |
Dam |
|
Parapara |
Waste |
|
Pūmau |
Durable |
|
Pūmautanga |
Durability |
|
Pūnaha Whai Whakaaetanga Hangatanga |
Building Consent System |
|
Pūngao Whāomo |
Energy Efficient |
|
Rautaki Hangatanga Ohotata |
Building Emergency Management |
|
Rawa Hangatanga |
Building Products |
|
Tai āniwhaniwha |
Tsunami |
|
Tangata Ngaio / Mātanga |
Professional/Consultant |
|
Tikanga Aramahi |
Code of Practice |
|
Tikanga Matatika |
Code of Ethics |
|
Tikanga Tūtohu |
Code Compliance |
|
Tohu |
Placard |
|
Tūraru |
Risk |
|
Tūtohu Hangatanga |
Building Code |
|
Waeture |
Regulation |
|
Wai Māori |
Potable Water |
|
Waiāwhā |
Stormwater |
|
Whai Rēhita |
Registered |
|
Whai tohu |
Certified |
|
Whakaaetanga hangatanga |
Building Consent |
|
Whakahaere Parapara |
Waste Management |
|
Whakahou |
Renovation |
|
Whakapakari Hangatanga |
Building Resilience |
|
Whakatika |
Repair |
|
Whakatikatika |
Remediation |
|
Whakawātea Whakaaetanga Hangatanga |
Building Consent Exemption |
|
Whare |
House |
|
Whare Pororūwhenua |
Earthquake Prone Building |
|
Whiwhinga |
Procurement |