by Tao Wong
The other way of saying those words is used by a large number of average Kiwis. Nate, Jase, and O would primarily use these pronunciations. They may know the proper and formal way but tend to default to the colloquialized version.
It should also be noted that I have included some basic definitions, however, Te Reo words can hold multiple meanings. Those listed here are simple translations and are more for showing how they are used in the context of the story.
I hope you find the following information useful, and that it makes the reading of Overture to Obliteration a touch more immersive.
Te Reo Word or Māori Name
Simplistic English Speakers Pronunciation Guide
Te Reo
Basic Definition: Language of the
T-eh Rai-Oh.
Rai is said like the start of the word Rain.
Māori
Describes: The Polynesian people native to New Zealand
Mm-ou-ree.
Ou said like Ouch, and Ree is said like in the word Tree. Rs are rolled in this version of the pronunciation.
Mou-ree
Mou is said like the start of Mouse or Mountain.
Kiwinuipāhue
Basic Definition: Giant Plundering Kiwi
Key-we-new-e-pah-who-e
Pah sounds like the start of the word Path.
Note: This is a made-up creature
Maraetōtara
Basic Definition: Gathering of Tōtara trees
Describes: A Suburb of Whakatāne
Ma-righ-a-toe-tra
Righ like the word Right, and Tra like the word Train.
Nga Tapuwae O Toi
Basic Definition: The footsteps of Toi
Nah Tah-poo-why Oh Toy
Fun Fact: Few people use this name unless maybe they’re listing it in documents, on signs and maps, or in some sort of official capacity. Locals tend to simply call this “The Bird Walk.”
Toi was the son of the founding Chief of Whakatāne
Whakatāne
Describes: A Town in New Zealand
Fok-a-tar-knee.
Fok is said like the word Wok, but with a “fff” sound at the start.
Rotorua
Describes: A City in New Zealand
Raw-toh-roo-a
Toh is said like the start of the word Tofu. Roo is said like the start of the word Roof. Rs are rolled.
Row-ta-roo-a
Fun Fact: Also known as Rotovegas
Kopeopeo
Describes: A Suburb of Whakatāne
Cou-peh-awe-peh-awe
Cou sounds like the start of the word Court. Peh sounds like you’re starting to say the word Pear.
Co-pee-oh-pee-oh
Co is said like the start of the word Cope.
Fun Fact: Also known as just Kope
Mokoroa
Describes: A hill in the Whakatāne area
M-awe-ck-oh-row-a
Rs are rolled.
Mock-oh-row-a
Kaikiko Toa
Basic Definition: Vengeful Warrior
Ki-key-co Toe-ah
Ki sounds like the start of the word Kite.
Kai Taua
Basic Definition: Eater of War Parties
Ki To-a
To like the start of the word Torn.
Haka
Basic Definition: A traditional chanting dance of the Māori people of New Zealand
Ha-ca
Ca sounds like the start of the word Car.
Haumia
Basic Definition: Māori name for the god of all uncultivated food
Ho-me-ah
Ho sounds like the start of the word Home.
Te-koha-o-Tū
Basic Definition: Gift from the Māori god of war, hunting, fishing and agriculture
T-eh-co-ha-oh-too
Co Sounds like the start of the word Core.
Tāne
Basic Definition: Human of masculine sex or gender. It is also the shortened name for the Māori god of forests and birds
Tah-knee
Tar-knee
Rehua
Basic Definition: Māori name for the star god with the power of healing
Rei-who-a
Rai is said like the start of the word Rain.
Kia ora
Basic Definition: Hello/ Greetings/ Thanks, essentially an expressing goodwill or gratitude
Key-Ore-ah
Roll the R for proper. Same pronunciation, just without the r-rolling for the other way.
Otiniara
Describes: A person’s name
Oh-tin-e-are-ah
Roll the R for proper. Same pronunciation, just without the r-rolling for the other way.
Pio
Describes: A person’s name
Pee-or
Soft r sound in Or.
Matetu
Describes: A person’s name
Mut-ah-too
Mat-ah-too
Kai
Basic Definition: Food
Ki
Ki sounds like the start of the word Kite.
Tumeke
Basic Definition: Too Much
Too-meh-key
Pohutu
Describes: A street name in Whakatāne
Poe-who-too
Mataatua
Basic Definition: Window to the gods
Describes: The name of a famous waka/canoe
Mah-tar-too-ah
Ngāti Awa
Basic Definition: River Tribe
Describes: The local Māori clan
Nah-tea Ah-wha
Wha sounds like the start of the word What.
Marae
Basic Definition: Meeting House
Mar-eye
Mar sounds like the start of the word March.
Iwi
Basic Definition: Clan
E-wee
Ngāti Hokopū
Describes: A location/ organization in Whakatāne. They are a clan of the Ngāti Awa Iwi
Nah-tea Ho-cou-poo
Ho as in the way you would say Horse. Cou sounds like the start of the word Court.
Ōpōtiki
Describes: A Town in New Zealand
Oh-poe-tiki
Manawatara
Basic Definition: Mind/spirit Spines
Mana-wah-tar-ah
Note: This is a made-up creature
Tauranga
Describes: A City in New Zealand
Tow-wrong-ah
Rs are rolled.
Tau-wrong-ah
Pāpāmoa
Describes: A Suburb of Tauranga
Pah-pah-mau-ah
Pah sounds like the start of the word Pass. Mau like the start of the word Maul.
Pap-ah-mow-ah
Maunganui
Describes: Mount Maunganui is a Suburb of Tauranga. It’s also the name of the mountain in the area
Mong-ga-new-ee
Mong like the word Mongolia. Ga like the word Garfield.
Te Puke
Describes: A Town in New Zealand
T-eh P-ook-e
Ook like the end of the word Look.
Ruapehu
Basic Definition: A pit of noise or exploding pit
Describes: A volcano by the name of Mount Ruapehu
Ru-a-pay-who
Ru like the start of the word Ruin.
Ngaire
Describes: A person’s name
Kni-ree
Kni like the start of the word Knight or Knife. Ree like the end of the word Tree.
Moutohorā
Basic Definition: Island of the Whale
Describes: An island off the coast of Whakatāne
Mau-to-hor-ah
Mau like the start of the word Maul. To like the start of the word Torn. Hor is said like the start of the word Horse.
Mow-tor-hor-ah
Tor is said with a soft r. Hor is said like the start of the word Horse.
Fun Fact: Few people use this name unless maybe they’re listing it in docum
ents, on signs and maps, or in some sort of official capacity. Locals tend to simply call the location “Whale Island.”
Kora
Describes: A New Zealand band whose band members are part of the Kora family
Co-rah
Co is said like the start of the word Core.
Fun Note: Kora (the band and family) are from Whakatāne
Ka Mate
Basic Definition: Will/ ‘tis Death
Ca Mah-ta
Ca sounds like the start of the word Car. Ta like the start of the word Take.
Ka Ora
Basic Definition: Will/ ’tis Life
Ca Ore-ah
Ca sounds like the start of the word Car.
Whakaheke Tangata
Basic Definition: Slayer of Men
Fok-ah-heck-eh Tounge-gah-ta
Tū
Basic Definition: Māori name for the god of war, hunting, fishing and agriculture. Full name is - Tūmatauenga
Too
Rangatira
Basic Definition: Chief
Rung-ah-tear-ah
Pā
Basic Definition: Fortified Village (typically atop a multi-terraced hill), or blockade
Pah
Pah sounds like the start of the word Pass.
Intermission Six
“M?” Vir called to his friend as he noticed her grow white. He’d seen it before, seen the flashbacks, the moments of disruption. No matter how much the System helped, provided increases in Willpower or flushed chemicals, the human mind was not meant to handle the loss and pain the survivors had suffered. Some, like Amelia, did better, functioning with little issues. But even then, a smell, a laugh, an image could trigger memories.
Even among his Truinnar guards, Vir had noticed some minor issues. For Truinnar, side-effects were more due to the constant stress of living in a Dungeon World, in a domain that was constantly challenged by other Galactic powers. That some actually found the entire process relaxing – due to their escape from the Barony – was ironic.
“I told you, don’t call me that,” Amelia sniped at Vir. She shook her head, discarding the document to the interesting, but not important, pile. That pile would be assigned to one of the guards to follow up on, using mundane and then Shop information networks. Any person with a unique Class or were cheaters like John needed a careful watch. And while not everyone in the world was as blatant about their presence as the Champions, they were all sill powers. Powers that could be used when the next crisis happened.
“Of course. M.” The virtual world meant that when she threw the data slate at Vir’s head, the slate just disappeared before hitting him. Together, in companionable silence, they worked. Until Vir shot up in his chair, his jaw dropping.
And then promptly disappeared.
“What the hell?” Amelia said, staring at the spot where her partner had been. A flick of her hands brought up the last document Vir had viewed.
Phoenix Rising
By R.K. Billiau
Chapter 1
The average person lives four to six years after an early onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Dan’s came eighteen months ago. He could feel his mind melting away. Some days were a haze of memories jumbled together as if lived all at once. Today he could remember the look on his wife's face the first time he forgot who she was. He took a deep breath to steady himself.
When he started having trouble remembering he chalked it up to his time with the Army in Iraq. ‘Gulf War Illness’, they called it. A strange cocktail of maladies that afflicted tens of thousands of servicemen. The litany of afflictions was as long as Dan’s arm and memory problems topped the list.
Dan knew something else was going on when he started hallucinating. The lights would overwhelm him with brightness, his pupils shrinking to a speck as he squeezed his eyelids closed. Shadows would pop out at him making him jump. Sometimes sounds wouldn’t process, coming into his mind as a garble. His wife broke down the day they got the diagnosis, while Dan sat rubbing his hands, stunned into silence.
He sat on his bed, eyes still heavy with sleep, not quite ready to start the day. His mother, Susan, broke his reverie, knocking on the door jamb to rouse him.
“Dan, we've got to get ready to go soon, do you need help? Monica followed Jason to the mechanic so she could give him a ride back. I swear breaking cars must be genetic as often as he has to get something repaired. He drives just like you! Anyway, I’m going to bring you to your appointment, we are going to leave a little early to avoid traffic.” He smiled weakly, thankful for her selflessness.
“No… I’m… I’ll be ok. I'll be right there,” Dan said sleepily.
“Well honey, let me help you get dressed, the appointment isn't too long from now,” his mother said, moving into the room to help him out of his bathrobe and into the sweats his wife had laid on the bed. She reached out to touch him.
“NO DAMNIT!” he screamed like a precocious two-year-old. “I can do it myself today!” He jumped away from her touch, the anger filling him with a seething hot fury. He knew the anger was unfounded, that it was the dementia, but he couldn't control it, couldn't stop it, as if it had a life of its own. He snatched the clothes off the bed and stomped to his bathroom, slamming the door.
“I'll just be in the kitchen then, dear,” his ever-patient mother replied. “I have a cup of coffee waiting for you along with your pills.”
Dan leaned his against the bathroom door and slid to the floor, the anger fading just as quickly as it had come. The rage beast was letting go of its control over his mind. His head fell and he cradled his knees, eyes wet with salty tears. Was he even himself anymore?
When the first blue box appeared in his vision, he read it, then dismissed it as just another hallucination from his broken mind. A box, like a window on his computer, saying something about a ‘Dungeon World’. A countdown appeared, and he waved his hand to shoo away the box. Was his mind this broken already?
A loud crash from below drew his attention so he stood and slipped into his clothes. He noticed his reflection and made eye contact with the man in the bathroom mirror. He barely recognized himself. Dark, disheveled hair falling into dull eyes with heavy bags. Unattended facial scruff that was long past five o’clock shadow. He shook his head, disgusted, and left the room. When his feet hit the top of the stairs, more boxes appeared in his vision.
Congratulations! You have been spawned in the Shasta National Forest (Level 100+) zone. You have spawned in the level 80 section of the Forest.
You have received 5500 XP (Delayed)
As per Dungeon World Development Schedule 124.3.2.2, inhabitants assigned to a region with a recommended Level 25 or more above the inhabitants’ current Level will receive one Small Perk.
As per Dungeon World Development Schedule 124.3.2.3, inhabitants assigned to a region with a recommended Level 50 or more above the inhabitants’ current Level will receive one Medium Perk.
As per Dungeon World Development Schedule 124.3.2.4, inhabitants assigned to a region with a recommended Level 75 or more above the inhabitants’ current Level will receive one Large Perk.
Dan shook his head violently to clear the box away and lost his balance. He crashed into the wall, his body sliding down the stairs to the bottom, arms flailing to grab onto anything that would stop him. At forty-eight his body was still healthy, and a firefighting career had made him strong, so he suffered no damage except another wound to his pride. He slammed his fist into the wall, the pain evicting the rage.
“Dan! Are you all right? It’s time to make that switch, we can't have you living with stairs like these!” His mother, just shy of seventy, was still strong and healthy. She and some friends had started a walking group in town and on any day could be seen together talking and power walking in their 1980s sun-visors and hip packs. As strong as she was, she was still an older woman, all of 120 pounds soaking wet, and had to struggle to lift her adult son.
“What are you talking about?” Dan asked, not knowing if he
didn't remember, or if he had never known. He used the wall as leverage to aid her in getting him up.
“Monica and I talked about moving you two into the mother-in-law unit so you wouldn't have to deal with the stairs,” his mother replied as she gave him a once over to check for any injuries. “Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere?”
The simple question sent Dan’s mind spiraling. Flashes of memories ripped through his consciousness replacing his awareness of the present with brief moments of his past. The woman in the room was pressing her hands to his chest, probing him, the words coming out of her mouth mere noises that made no sense.
“Get AWAY!” Dan shouted and brushed the strange woman away. He dropped to the floor, put his head between his knees and rocked.
