| Kupu | Brief description |
| karanga(tia) | to call, call of welcome |
| kuia | elderly woman |
| kaumātua | elderly person/people |
| koroua | elderly man |
| whaikōrero | to make a speech, main speech |
| karakia | prayer |
| wero(hia) | to challenge (referring to traditional welcome to visitors), a challenge |
| waiata(tia) | to sing, song |
| manuhiri | visitors |
| whakaeke(a) | to arrive / ascend (onto a Marae) |
| manaaki(tia) | look after, care for, show respect or kindess to |
| mihi | to greet, a greeting |
| pōhiri(tia) / pōwhiri(tia) | to welcome, a welcoming ceremony |
| tangata whenua | people of the land/marae |
| pūkana | fierce facial expressions used in actions songs and haka. |
| harirū(tia) | to shake, shake hands |
| tikanga | custom |
| kawa | protocol |
| takahi(a) | trample |
| hākari(a) | feast |
| iwi | tribe, people (at a gathering) |
| hui | to gather, assemble, a meeting |
| hongi | the pressing of noses (signifying unity in the mingling of one another's breath) |