New Zealand Languages

Most records used in New Zealand research are written in English. To use and understand Maori records, it will be helpful to know some key words and phrases.

Maori oral pedigrees go from ancient times, down to the present time. The pedigrees are often written in the English alphabet but spelled phonetically, in the Maori language.

The Maori grammar may affect the way names appear in genealogical records. For example the names of your ancestors may vary from record to record in Maori.

Language Aids
The Family History Library has several published dictionaries for the Maori language. These can be found in the Family History Library Catalog, Place Search, under:

NEW ZEALAND - DICTIONARIES

The following books on the Maori language can aid you in your research. You can find these and similar material at many research libraries.


 * Briggs, Bruce. English-Maori Dictionary. Wellington: A.H. 7 A.W. Reed. 1966. (FHL book 499.4 B484e.)


 * Williams, Herbert W. A Dictionary of the Maori Language. Wellington: A.R. Schearer, Government Printer, 1971. (FHL book 499.4 W672d.)