Whakamīere - Reo Māori Stories

A lion spies four bulls feeding. Being such close friends, however, they stick together, which makes hunting them very tricky for the lion.   Translation by Taurapa

A gardener has a pest problem: a hare keeps eating all his vegetables! So he calls upon his landlord, who is a great hunter, to help him sort the problem out.   Translation by Taurapa

A boy is stung by a nettle and runs home to tell his mother. This episode also includes some very useful information before the kōrero, please listen to it fully.   Translation by Taurapa

A proud warhorse meets a lazy pig, and they have very different outlooks on life and each other's purpose.   Translation by Taurapa

After a little fish is caught, he pleads to be released, and makes a promise to the man.   Translation by Taurapa

War has waged between the cats and the mice for as long as we can remember, but the mice have a plan to help them win. What could it be?   Translation by Taurapa

A fowler is asked by a blackbird what he is doing, and the blackbird naïvely takes him at his word.   Translation by Taurapa

In the final chapter of Wini-te-Pū, Kiritopa Rōpene throws a party and invites all our friends along to celebrate a very special bear.   Translation by Taurapa

While felling a tree, a man loses his axe in the river, but Mercury appears to help him out.   Translation by Taurapa

A classic fable about the everlasting battle between beauty and brains.   Translation by Taurapa

Two travelers come across an axe in a wood, but there is disagreement about whose it should be.   Translation by Taurapa

War breaks out between the birds and beasts. The lion is in charge, though, and know's exactly what every animal's job is.

A clumsy ass makes a fortunate mistake in stumbling while crossing the river.   Translation by Taurapa

The country mouse hosts the city mouse at his abode, but our city friend is not so impressed with the whole affair. He suggests that the country mouse come to his home that evening to show him how good life is, and what the country mouse is missing out on.   Translation by Taurapa

While hunting, a hawk is caught in a trap laid my the farmer to caught crows in his cornfield. Things go south very quickly though!   Translation by Taurapa

As Toratī and her companions continue through the forest, they are confronted by a deep growl coming from deep in the bushes. What or who could it be?   Translation by Taurapa

A blind sheep arranges with the owl to undergo surgery to fix his ailment. He has a few questions before the surgery goes through though.   Translation by Taurapa

Probably the most famous of Aesop's fables - The Boy Who Cried Wolf needs no introduction.   Translation by Taurapa

A herdsman's young cow goes missing, and a reward offered to Jupiter for help in finding the thief. The herdsman may not have thought this offer all the way through though!   Translation by Taurapa

A wolf comes across a fox which has accidentally stumbled, and fallen into a well. Can he help him out, or is it too much?   Translation by Taurapa

After a ship goes down near Greece with an ape aboard, a cunning dolphin comes to the rescue.   Translation by Taurapa

A sneaky wolf conjures up a plan to snatch a sheep from the shepherd's flock. But has he thought everything through?   Translation by Taurapa

A beggar is scrounging scraps behind the manor of a Lord, and is observed quietly by a servant who shares a very similar reality to the dog.   Translation by Taurapa

A short kōrero about the first time people met the camel.   Translation by Taurapa

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, what happened next?   Translation by Taurapa

Punua finds himself in a precarious situation, surrounded by rainwater that is quickly rising. Pū finds a note in a bottle and asks Kiritopa Rōpene for help. Translation by Taurapa

Upon being made a god, Hercules snubs Plutus - but why? Jupiter demands an answer of him.   Translation by Taurapa

A shepherd catches the travel bug and wants to be a merchant no matter the cost. But things don't turn out as expected.   Translation by Taurapa

A couple of lizards are pondering life and see something scary right before their eyes which may change their perspective on things.   Translation by Taurapa

While carrying a whole load of delicious treats and morsels, the ass decides to snack on a prickly thistle instead - why's that?   Translation by Taurapa

Anxious of the newly sown flax, a swallow tries her best to warn her bird friends of the impending danger - that nets and traps will be made from the flax!   Translation by Taurapa

A cruel man catches a fox and torments it for ravaging his crops and orchards.   Translation by Taurapa

A fox comes across a pack of dogs who have happened upon a lion's skin. He warns them though of the dangers.   Translation by Taurapa

As morning sunlight breaks through the trees, a strange groan echoes through the forest — a sound that leads Toratī to one of the most unusual discoveries yet.   Translation by Taurapa

A thirsty dog is wary of drinking from the river, lest he be snapped up by a crocodile. Then suddenly a crocodile appears to greet him!   Translation by Taurapa

An old woman with bad eyesight calls on the doctor to help cure her ailment. He is sneaky though and takes advantage of her bad eyes.   Translation by Taurapa

A mother lark is wary of leaving her young ones in a field of nearly-ripe wheat lest it be reaped before they have fledged. She tells them to keep their ears open to the goings on, and to report back to her.   Translation by Taurapa

The fate of an archer, while out hunting a dove, is quickly changed by a hidden danger.   Translation by Taurapa

After being captured, and having its wings clipped, a pūkeko is placed in a yard with gamecocks. He quickly learns about their fierce nature.   Translation by Taurapa

A boy falls asleep after a long day of play, and nearly falls down a well.   Translation by Taurapa

After spying a young fox cub as food for her young, the eagle is confronted by mother fox. Things quickly go south after the eagle disregards the mother's wishes.   Translation by Taurapa

Minding their own business, the ass and cock are paid a visit by the lion. Things seem fine at first, but quickly change.   Translation by Taurapa

A naïve young thrush makes friends with a swallow. His mother though brings him back to reality.   Translation by Taurapa

We continue on our journey to te Tāone Kānapanapa, and Toratī learns more about her companion, and why he wants brains so badly.   Translation by Taurapa

A sneaky boy plays a trick on a thief that he won't soon forget, but is he justified in doing so?   Translation by Taurapa

After pleading for a new garment from her mother, the moon is given a few reasons why that is likely not possible.   Translation by Taurapa

We all know how beautiful the peacock's feathers can be, but is this really the be alll and end all?   Translation by Taurapa

The great orator Demades tries to command the attention of his audience. He resorts, however, to something he is not particularly fond of.   Translation by Taurapa

The hen is told of the danger she is in by the swallow. Will she listen to him?   Translation by Taurapa

A weary goatherd travelling with his goats in a winter storm is caught out in the elements. His decisions thereafter, however, are not to the benefit of his goats.   Translation by Taurapa

A fox is bitten by a swarm of mosquitoes but opts not to shoo them away - what's his reasoning?   Translation by Taurapa

We've all been convinced of something at some point which later turned out to be a little more fanciful than was promised. This nanakia has had a lot of practice in the art of deception.   Translation by Taurapa

Toratī and Tautau continue on their journey to te Tāone Kānapanapa and make a new friend along the way - someone who has been stuck in place for a very long time.   Translation by Taurapa

The wolf learns a lesson in double standards and the realities of life.   Translation by Taurapa

A fox and ass stumble upon a hungry lion and the fox, as sly as always, concocts a plan to escape.   Translation by Taurapa

The wolf accuses the fox of having stolen some meat, but whose side will the ape judge take when both sides are just as dishonest as the other?   Translation by Taurapa

A wolf is left for dead by some dogs, and is his dying breaths, he asks for help from the sheep. Is he hypocritical in his asking for help though?   Translation by Taurapa

The lion, devious as always, tries his luck and capturing a horse for dinner. What's his cunning plan, and how does it work out for him?   Translation by Taurapa

A young man is asked as to why he struggles with deciding whether or not to get up and out of bed.   Translation by Taurapa

The wind and the sun challenge each other to figure out who is the stronger of the two. Perhaps, though, strength is not always what's required to come out on top.   Translation by Taurapa

While walking down a road together, two men turn to talk about the heroes of their respective cities, with each showing a bit of bias. Who really is the better hero, though - Hercules, or Theseus?   Translation by Taurapa

Pū, Kiritopa Rōpene and all their hoa embark on an "expotition" to find the North Pole. Things go awry, Īō feels sorry for himself, and Rū goes for a swim.   Translation by Taurapa

An ass greets a boar with impudence, and although violence is the boar's initial reaction, the ass is taught a lesson he will remember.   Translation by Taurapa

A mule has a wonderful life and is proud of his heritage, but things take a change and his mind shifts.   Translation by Taurapa

Ever jumped into something without really thinking too much about it first? Well, the hunter did, and it wasn't the best idea. He sets a trap for a fox and all seems fine until his concentration lapses.   Translation by Taurapa

Falcons and geese clearly live different lives, and although the falcon might be ignorant of this, he is quickly reminded by the goose.   Translation by Taurapa

The frog and mouse are good friends, and enjoy each other's company. The frog extends an invitation to the mouse to visit him, but things take a turn for the worse.   Translation by Taurapa

Two men, one envious, and one covetous, try to out-do each other for their own selfish benefit.   Translation by Taurapa

Wondering why the little dog was favoured so much by their master, the ass tries to imitate. Things turn sour quickly, though, and a servant needs to intervene.   Translation by Taurapa

We continue our journey to Oz with te Upoko 2 from Te Kirimatarau Mīharo o Oz.   Translation by Taurapa

Two soldiers are ambushed, one is afraid, the other, however, is not. He quickly gets a harsh word from his companion in response to his actions.   Translation by Taurapa

A classic dispute between two men over a woman leads to bloodshed, and a curious request comes from the fallen man. Why does he make this request with his dying breath?   Translation by Taurapa

We've all heard of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, but did you know that Aesop wrote a kōrero about this same kaupapa 2000 years earlier?`   Translation by Taurapa

While cooped up at his home during a paticularly bad storm, the man makes some difficult decisions to help feed his family. Evidently, the dogs become wary of him.   Translation by Taurapa

The lynx is known for having incredible eyesight, but the mole has ears which are equally as sensitive. Who then is likeliest to evade danger?   Translation by Taurapa

A greedy man tries to find the secret of his goose's golden eggs, but he makes a grave mistake.   Translation by Taurapa

A paki poto about tinihanga and deceit, and getting caught. Listen to this week's episode to learn a new kīanga reo Māori as well.   Translation by Taurapa

O Henry's classic short story is about a young couple determined secretly to surprise each other with a special gift despite their limited resources. Unaware of the other's plans, they each make a personal sacrifice to make their gift possible. It is a timeless story of generosity, sacrifice, and love. Cherished by readers for more than a century, this story is recognised as one of the greatest tales of all time.   Translation by Taurapa

A short fable around picking your battles, and what can happen if you don't choose wisely.   Translation by Taurapa

This kōrero is a little reminder to all of us to think about others before complaining about ourselves.   Translation by Taurapa

One of perhaps Aesop's most famous kōrero. This paki poto reminds us what really happens when the mighty are in charge.   Translation by Taurapa

A cautionary tale about why it's important to remember to be humble.   Translation by Taurapa

Back by popular demand, Wini-te-Pū makes his return appearance on Whakamīere, where he tries to visit his friend Rāpeti and gets himself into a squeeze.   Translation by Taurapa

A kōrero about why we should not perhaps be so quick to judge others.   Translation by Taurapa

A quick paki poto about dogs attempting the impossible.   Translation by Taurapa

What would you say to get yourself out of harm's way? Find out what the Pekapeka does when snatched by a Wīhara!   Translation by Taurapa

We are thrilled to showcase the first ever reo Māori translation of Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Speckled Band. Dive into the famous detective's world through the eyes of his companion Wātene. The classic locked-room mystery is said by many to be Arthur Conan Doyle's finest work, and is even considered by the author to be his best story.   Translation by Taurapa

A short fable about a sneaky wolf and a cautious goat kid. Plus a sneak preview of our upcoming Sherlock Holmes pakiwaitara.   Translation by Taurapa

Our atua friend Jupiter is delighted by a gift from the Bee. How can he repay him? Transcripts are auto-generated, and do not accurately reflect the reo Māori (or English) used in the podcast. Accurate PDFs are available on Patreon.   Translation by Taurapa

An evil Wolf meets a meek Lamb in the forest. Transcripts are auto-generated, and do not accurately reflect the reo Māori (or English) used in the podcast. Accurate PDFs are available on Patreon.   Translation by Taurapa

In celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we have a special bonus episode for you. AA Milne's classic Winnie-the-Pooh has been fully translated into te reo Māori, and we are thrilled to share the first pakiwaitara with you. Transcripts are auto-generated, and do not accurately reflect the reo Māori (or English) used in the podcast. Accurate PDFs are available on Patreon.   Translation by Taurapa

Ever wondered what happens if you double the food you feed your hens? Aesop knew. This week's Paki Poto is a kōrero about facts and figures. Transcripts are auto-generated, and do not accurately reflect the reo Māori (or English) used in the podcast. Accurate PDFs are available on Patreon.   Translation by Taurapa

September's Pakiwaitara is by Ernest Hemingway. Hills Like White Elephants puts you in the shoes of an American man and a young lady in Spain as they wait for their train to Madrid. Filled with tension throughout, it's a roller coaster of bravery, sensitivity, and uncertainty. Transcripts are auto-generated, and do not accurately reflect the reo Māori (or English) used in the podcast. Accurate PDFs are available on Patreon.   Translation by Taurapa

In this Paki Poto, a Dog tries to eat an Oyster in this well-known fable by Aesop. Listen in te reo Māori first, followed by the English. Transcripts are auto-generated, and do not accurately reflect the reo Māori (or English) used in the podcast. Accurate PDFs are available on Patreon.   Translation by Taurapa

A short fable by Aesop about Jupiter (the god not the planet) and the Camel. Listen in te reo Māori first, followed by the English. Transcripts are auto-generated, and do not accurately reflect the reo Māori (or English) used in the podcast. Accurate PDFs are available on Patreon.   Translation by Taurapa

Te Pōkiha me te Tāka is our first Paki Poto episode. It's a translation of The Fox and the Stork by Aesop. Listen to the story in te reo Māori first, followed by the English.   Translation by Taurapa

Jupiter decides to hold a seemingly innocent lottery, but may have an ulterior motive. He comes up with a plan to put people's minds at ease, though.   Translation by Taurapa

Join us as we step onto the yellow brick road and begin our journey to the land of Oz with Te Kirimatarau Mīharo o Oz. In this episode, we start at the very beginning, with L. Frank Baum’s own introduction, followed by Chapter One of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in te reo Māori.   Translation by Taurapa

It's always hard picking a favourite fruit when they're all delicious! Peach and Apple get into an argument about who is the better fruit.   Translation by Taurapa