Karakia (prayer) are the ritual chants of Māori and are an important part of Māori culture. Poetic imagery and metaphor are used to call upon and recognise the influence of atua (spiritual or supernatural beings/gods), our ancestors, and other aspects of the environment and our whakapapa (lineage/history).

Many karakia in common use today can be traced back to the 19th century following the introduction of Christianity. New karakia were written or adapted to include Christian symbolism and acknowledge the Christian God and Jesus Christ. Others have been passed down from pre-colonial times or otherwise follow a more ancient or traditional format.

Those participating in karakia can generally safely use either format, but should also always try to be aware of the purpose, context, and audience of the occasion and the tikanga (protocols) of the venue.

Following are some karakia recommended for use at MIT. Audio of most of these karakia is available in our mobile app – Kia Mataara