Government – kāwanatanga
A Government official, in charge of the Government car fleet, instructs a subordinate in a fancy uniform to “Give Car One a tonguing”.
Ministry – manatū
A Government official comes out of a tall building and says “We’re the Ministry of Taxes… and money, too!”
Minister – minita
A man in a suit buys an icecream from a stand. The girl holds up two cones and says “Maxi or mini, Minister?” The man says “Mini, ta.”
Office, Department – tari
Inside a WINZ office, there is tar everywhere: all over the floors and computers. The office is very tarry.
Responsibility, responsible – haepapa
A boy looks at a field strewn with hay and asks his father “Hey, Papa, who’s responsible for this?”
General Election – pōtitanga whānui
A child sits on a potty with its tounge sticking out. It is the potty tonguer. A man says “This General Election I think the best choice is the potty tonguer, far and away.”
Election, vote – pōti
A sign outside a porta-potty says “Election Today! Vote Here!”
Rebellion, Revolt, Revolution – whananga
Hone Heke is giving a speech, he promises to rebel “far and near”.
to corrupt – pōriro
A waitress pours some water into a man’s porridge. He gets up and complains “Now it’s corrupted!”
Officer, Official – āpiha
A man in uniform salutes a man behind a desk and says “Officer Pea Heart, reporting for duty.” The man behind the desk rises and says “Ah, Pea Heart…”
to agree, to assent, Permission – whakaae
Both seated at a desk, a woman shows a man a contract and asks “Do you agree?” He replies: “Fucken A!”
Chieftainship, Sovereignty, Authority – rangatiratanga
A chief is giving a speech to a war party. He holds up a gold ring and says “By the authority vested in me through my possession of this ring, tear a tongue!”
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The above is an excerpt from the upcoming Learn Maori Vocabulary With Mnemonics, by Jeff Ngatai, due to be published by VJM Publishing in the summer of 2018/19.