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Tikanga: An Introduction to te ao Māori
Tikanga: An introduction to te ao Māori provides a unique explanation of the Māori world for Pākehā and Māori wishing to learn more about customary practices, values and protocols.
In a personal, clear and highly readable style, Keri Opai shares the spirit and meaning of what it is to be Māori in the twenty-first century. He examines some fundamental principles, the Māori language and key events and ceremonies, while dispelling myths and misconceptions. Tikanga offers both locals and visitors a very accessible introduction to the contemporary Māori way of life.
In a personal, clear and highly readable style, Keri Opai shares the spirit and meaning of what it is to be Māori in the twenty-first century. He examines some fundamental principles, the Māori language and key events and ceremonies, while dispelling myths and misconceptions. Tikanga offers both locals and visitors a very accessible introduction to the contemporary Māori way of life.
- GenresNonfictionIndigenous
194 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
45 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 17, 2025
this was such a beautiful book, super informative without dragging (dude is super funny) and just a great way to learn more about te ao māori no matter how much you previously knew about the subject. will be recommending this to everyone !!
August 8, 2022
An incredible and accessible introduction to Te Ao Māori and the tikanga behind certain processes such as whaikorero, tangihanga and a response to criticisms of sexism in Te Reo and Māori culture. As mentioned in the title, this is an introduction and I really appreciate Keri Opai offering more literature within many bodies of knowledge so if you’re interested in learning more in specific phenomena - you have some really great resources to do so. Keri Opai offers a really well rounded introduction with humour sprinkled throughout and real life examples you won’t experience if you’re only learning through literature.
As a Māori wāhine that really only spent time on the Marae at tangi, birthdays and weddings - it was really nice learning about the processes I did, but didn’t really understand as I’ve never questioned why certain practices are done.
As someone learning to speak Te Reo with my pākehā partner, the last chapter was absolutely hilarious. We both really appreciated the pepeha template offered for pākehā and Tauiwi as it’s more respectful and recognises the duality in their cultural heritage and the place they were brought up rather than overstepping and leading into cultural insensitivities by claiming whenua, awa and Moana that isn’t theirs to claim.
As a Māori wāhine that really only spent time on the Marae at tangi, birthdays and weddings - it was really nice learning about the processes I did, but didn’t really understand as I’ve never questioned why certain practices are done.
As someone learning to speak Te Reo with my pākehā partner, the last chapter was absolutely hilarious. We both really appreciated the pepeha template offered for pākehā and Tauiwi as it’s more respectful and recognises the duality in their cultural heritage and the place they were brought up rather than overstepping and leading into cultural insensitivities by claiming whenua, awa and Moana that isn’t theirs to claim.
October 26, 2024
Funny, informative, and easy to read. A great introductory resource for anyone wanting to know the basics of Tikanga.
January 15, 2023
As someone researching tikanga this book was incredibly informative. The content was all carefully explained and not hard to understand so I now know plenty more about te ao Māori. Overall a really well-written book!
February 8, 2025
Great intro to te ao Māori and how to navigate common social situations, though oddly business-focused
April 14, 2025
Found this very informative and helpful. Struggled with certain aspects of the book.
May 14, 2023
Early on in this fabulous book Keri Opai makes the point that te ao Māori is in fact a Māori universe, and his goal is to help us to do things right, to do things correctly. He also notes that across Aotearoa/New Zealand there is a growing demand for doing things correctly as more and more people and institutions engage with te ao Māori in their everyday practice.
This is not the only guide/introduction to tikanga available, but it is certainly one of the best I have read. Opai keeps it light, while making clear the importance of doing it right – so he has a chatty, conversational tone, setting out to show what the correct way is, and crucially why things are done that way. He also makes clear that although there common elements and similarities across te ao Māori, it’s not all the same – so he is writing and teaching from his Taranaki world, and things are likely to be a little, or quite, different in other parts of the country. He notes some areas of significant difference, but forcefully reminds us, quite often, to check the local ways, the local kawa.
The effect of showing why things are as they are in key aspects is that he gives us Pākehā and tauiwi space and room develop our ways and approaches that fit with the rules but don’t blindly follow them. For instance, he makes clear how and why pepeha – personal introductions – are the way they are, that the sequencing and presentation of self works in a specific way for Māori, but not for Pākehā or tauiwi. In doing so he points to ways to achieve the goals of those introductions without making inappropriate claims. This is excellent, and the kind of open teaching practice more of us should aim for.
On top of that, it is an elegantly presented book, well designed, readable, and readerly – even in the white text on green background break-out boxes: that easily could have gone wrong, so all credit designer Nick Turzynski.
Those of us not raised in te ao Māori are still likely to make errors in places; the value of this excellent book is that with it we’re less likely to do so, and if we do it’s less likely to be serious. Highly recommended.
This is not the only guide/introduction to tikanga available, but it is certainly one of the best I have read. Opai keeps it light, while making clear the importance of doing it right – so he has a chatty, conversational tone, setting out to show what the correct way is, and crucially why things are done that way. He also makes clear that although there common elements and similarities across te ao Māori, it’s not all the same – so he is writing and teaching from his Taranaki world, and things are likely to be a little, or quite, different in other parts of the country. He notes some areas of significant difference, but forcefully reminds us, quite often, to check the local ways, the local kawa.
The effect of showing why things are as they are in key aspects is that he gives us Pākehā and tauiwi space and room develop our ways and approaches that fit with the rules but don’t blindly follow them. For instance, he makes clear how and why pepeha – personal introductions – are the way they are, that the sequencing and presentation of self works in a specific way for Māori, but not for Pākehā or tauiwi. In doing so he points to ways to achieve the goals of those introductions without making inappropriate claims. This is excellent, and the kind of open teaching practice more of us should aim for.
On top of that, it is an elegantly presented book, well designed, readable, and readerly – even in the white text on green background break-out boxes: that easily could have gone wrong, so all credit designer Nick Turzynski.
Those of us not raised in te ao Māori are still likely to make errors in places; the value of this excellent book is that with it we’re less likely to do so, and if we do it’s less likely to be serious. Highly recommended.
April 2, 2023
This was a very accessibly written book that I know only begins to scratch the surface te ao Māori and the way things are done in Māori custom and tradition, but is at least a start for those of us who've grown up with very little information on, and understanding of, the topic.
I feel like it's a good book to read through initially from cover to cover, and then to bring out over and over again as and when needed. And perhaps, like any good book about a subject that's immense and spans knowledge that's better gained over decades, I'm walking away from it with a better sense of how much I don't know, rather than feeling thoroughly informed. Hopefully, it won't be the last book I read on the topic.
I feel like it's a good book to read through initially from cover to cover, and then to bring out over and over again as and when needed. And perhaps, like any good book about a subject that's immense and spans knowledge that's better gained over decades, I'm walking away from it with a better sense of how much I don't know, rather than feeling thoroughly informed. Hopefully, it won't be the last book I read on the topic.
February 6, 2023
clear, concise, and informative
September 24, 2024
Keri Opai is Ngati Taranaki. "The book is aimed at locals and visitors alike," His writing style is easy to read but his content is informative and challenging. This is a dip into the world of Te Ao Maaori, the Maaori Universe.
It helped me find my feet in the changing landscape of Aotearoa. He gifts us with an introduction to te reo, basic understandings, greetings, Maaori Oratory, protocol and funerals. This book is for Maaori who want to know and Paakehaa who need to know.
He is gracious in his education of Tangata Tiriti and where we stand in the Maaori universe. My big takeaway from this book is different hapu have different protocols and it is wise to learn them when engaging.
The Maaori universe is beautiful and worth respect. Keri has a fabulous sense of humour. He shares his lifelong experiences of when protocol is done well and when it is not. I appreciated his generous sharing of his life, mistakes and successes.
His narrative gives me the confidence to pick up my paddle and wait to be asked to join the waka. Even when he is making a hard-nosed point, he does it with aroha.
This book is a snapshot of Maaori life, views and the changes that are currently happening in Te Ao Maaori.
This is a forever book and I will be adding it to my Amazon wish list.
I also recommend it to ANYONE interested or wondering what the protocol for non-Maori is.
This book should be a must-read for all students in secondary school, Government workers and visitors to Aotearoa. A must-read for anyone who cares for a true multicultural Aotearoa. A must-read for anyone who is interested in modern Aotearoa and wants to have an inside view of the Maaori universe.
I hope he writes more books.
It helped me find my feet in the changing landscape of Aotearoa. He gifts us with an introduction to te reo, basic understandings, greetings, Maaori Oratory, protocol and funerals. This book is for Maaori who want to know and Paakehaa who need to know.
He is gracious in his education of Tangata Tiriti and where we stand in the Maaori universe. My big takeaway from this book is different hapu have different protocols and it is wise to learn them when engaging.
The Maaori universe is beautiful and worth respect. Keri has a fabulous sense of humour. He shares his lifelong experiences of when protocol is done well and when it is not. I appreciated his generous sharing of his life, mistakes and successes.
His narrative gives me the confidence to pick up my paddle and wait to be asked to join the waka. Even when he is making a hard-nosed point, he does it with aroha.
This book is a snapshot of Maaori life, views and the changes that are currently happening in Te Ao Maaori.
This is a forever book and I will be adding it to my Amazon wish list.
I also recommend it to ANYONE interested or wondering what the protocol for non-Maori is.
This book should be a must-read for all students in secondary school, Government workers and visitors to Aotearoa. A must-read for anyone who cares for a true multicultural Aotearoa. A must-read for anyone who is interested in modern Aotearoa and wants to have an inside view of the Maaori universe.
I hope he writes more books.
June 19, 2022
Tikanga: An introduction to te ao Māori by Keri Opai is the accessible “how to” guide for you and your mates who are learning how to roll in te ao Māori.
Keri was raised by his old people with access to pantry of matauranga and in this pukapuka he shares a small shelf of it with us. I loved the way he organised his book with chapters that focused on common kaupapa like pepeha, whaikōrero and tangihanga. He then skilfully layered each chapter with practical knowledge that is accessible for all to grasp and apply.
This is the pukapuka to transform your non-Māori workplace, take you back to basics and - most importantly - demand your humility.
I enjoyed the chapters about restoring te ao Māori and the FAQ most. There was a clear strategy and
some related challenges laid down for us all. I really started to feel like the wānanga was just beginning!
Ngā mihi @upstart_press for the review copy
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#books #bookish #ilovebooks #womenreading #booksimreading #readmore #tikanga #racism #patriarchy #women #decolonise #indigenise #keriopai
Keri was raised by his old people with access to pantry of matauranga and in this pukapuka he shares a small shelf of it with us. I loved the way he organised his book with chapters that focused on common kaupapa like pepeha, whaikōrero and tangihanga. He then skilfully layered each chapter with practical knowledge that is accessible for all to grasp and apply.
This is the pukapuka to transform your non-Māori workplace, take you back to basics and - most importantly - demand your humility.
I enjoyed the chapters about restoring te ao Māori and the FAQ most. There was a clear strategy and
some related challenges laid down for us all. I really started to feel like the wānanga was just beginning!
Ngā mihi @upstart_press for the review copy
.
.
.
.
.
#books #bookish #ilovebooks #womenreading #booksimreading #readmore #tikanga #racism #patriarchy #women #decolonise #indigenise #keriopai
May 9, 2022
Keri Opai's Tikanga is the best introductory tikanga book I have read. This is now the book I point my pākeha and tauiwi friends towards who are interested in te Ao Māori.
What stood out was that this book was written without the expectation of the reader to already have an understanding of Māori worldviews. Other resources which claim to be introductory are often lacking this.
The content was also discussed in a way which linked it to contemporary issues. This kept the book engaging but also directly demonstrated the modern relevance and importance of tikanga.
What stood out was that this book was written without the expectation of the reader to already have an understanding of Māori worldviews. Other resources which claim to be introductory are often lacking this.
The content was also discussed in a way which linked it to contemporary issues. This kept the book engaging but also directly demonstrated the modern relevance and importance of tikanga.
January 22, 2022
I am a recent ish immigrant to Aotearoa, having lived here for just over 5 years now. I found this a very helpful resource, especially for someone like myself who has very limited prior knowledge of Tikanga, having not grown up in Aotearoa.
I am sure I will dip back into this book in future. It has also inspired me to look into ways I can learn more. Perhaps I will join a class to further my understanding.
I am sure I will dip back into this book in future. It has also inspired me to look into ways I can learn more. Perhaps I will join a class to further my understanding.
December 3, 2021
4.5 stars
This Pākehā gained a lot from this accessible, well-presented and informative book. Particularly liked the author's easy style of writing and the liberal use of whakataukī to support his views.
I will be encouraging our staff and students to read this as an introduction to te ao Māori - there is plenty to learn from this master on tikanga.
This Pākehā gained a lot from this accessible, well-presented and informative book. Particularly liked the author's easy style of writing and the liberal use of whakataukī to support his views.
I will be encouraging our staff and students to read this as an introduction to te ao Māori - there is plenty to learn from this master on tikanga.
Read
August 20, 2023This book came up as a reference in something else I was reading. I’ve been looking to get some education on all things Māori (language, culture, custom) so snapped it up.
This is a nicely laid out book with lots of good, clearly communicated information, and explanations on some theories and practices. Backed up by some, at times, amusing anecdotes.
This is a nicely laid out book with lots of good, clearly communicated information, and explanations on some theories and practices. Backed up by some, at times, amusing anecdotes.
August 3, 2025
This is a very easy to read, useful and informative book. There was a strong focus on behaving at and understanding events at marae. I appreciated the author's response that te ao Maori (language) does not have sexist slang terms, but not convinced this alone proves that Maori culture is not sexist.
December 3, 2025
A great introduction to Te Ao Māori and tikanga. Written by K. Opai who is from Taranaki he writes this book beautifully incorporating his local customs and pointing out fascinating differences between iwi.
A great book for those interested in learning the basics of Tikanga and an easy read for anyone looking to dip their toes in to the customs and culture of Māori.
A great book for those interested in learning the basics of Tikanga and an easy read for anyone looking to dip their toes in to the customs and culture of Māori.
February 18, 2022
Good book with some basic introductions on various topics. I enjoyed the section on Pepeha. I've been to several courses on te reo Māori & none of them explained Pepeha as good as the chapter in this book.
September 3, 2022
This is one of the best books I've ever read on te ao Māori. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in furthering their understanding of all things Māori. The book is very user friendly and written from a helpful, kind and non-judgemental perspective. Four solid stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 10, 2023
Excellent and accessible for everyone. Keri Opai really explains the 'why' of a lot of tikanga.
Clear explanations, easy to read, not "highbrow" but practical. As a Pākehā I didn't feel judged - I felt welcomed into learning more aboutTe Ao Māori.
Clear explanations, easy to read, not "highbrow" but practical. As a Pākehā I didn't feel judged - I felt welcomed into learning more aboutTe Ao Māori.
April 2, 2024
Really approachable book that explains the basics of tikanga Māori simply but with enough depth to make it interesting. Great personal anecdotes give it humour and make it encouraging for beginners in this area.
January 23, 2022
Enjoyable. Some practical pieces for Pakeha on what to do in different settings as well as some really informative parts on te ao Maori.
June 21, 2022
this should probably be mandatory reading for every Pākehā tbh. awesome introductory resource to te ao Māori that requires absolutely no background knowledge whatsoever :)))
March 12, 2023
This was such an easy read. Pretty keen to learn more
February 7, 2024
Great stuff matua Keri Chur Chur
November 18, 2025
Well written, Keri Opai is pretty crack up
April 6, 2023
Separated into nine chapters which focus on different aspected of Māori culture. A very well written book with good anecdotes from the author. I’m inspired to read the other books and / or articles recommended by Opai and was constantly referencing back to the proper pronunciation for diphthongs and other Māori words.
May 26, 2023
A very great book this opens you’re eyes into te ao Māori but also teaches you how to be respectful to the culture, I enjoyed this a lot
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews