how do you say Rest In Peace in Maori i was told it was Kia Kaha by an unreliable source need confirmation?

Answer 1

Hi

You were right to be sceptical!! :-)

'Kia Kaha' means - 'Stand Strong'. In fact, it is the name of an anti-bullying programme here in New Zealand.

For 'Rest in Peace' I would go for - 'Moe Mai' as per the following tribute to the late Maori Queen.


E te Arikinui, Te Atairangikaahu
Queen, Te Atairangkaahu

Te mokopuna o te motu, te whaea o te whenua
The grandchild of the region, the mother of the land

Moe mai i te poho o te tupuna whare, Mahinaarangi,
Rest in peace in the bosom of the ancestral home, Mahinaarangi

I te whakaharahara o tou marae rongonui, Turangawaewae.
In the magnificence of your well known marae, Turangawaewae

Moe mai i raro i te mauri o te maungatapu o Taupiri
Rest in peace in the spirit of your sacred mountain, Taupiri

E hoe tou waka tapu i runga i tou awa, Waikato
Guide your sacred waka gracefully over the waters of Waikato

E ki a nei te kōrero
As the saying goes

Waikato taniwharau, he piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha
Waikato of a hundred bends and on every bend a chief

Haere atu ra e te ariki i ngā kapua e rere ki tua
Farewell te Arikinui, on the clouds that speed you beyond

Mai ngā tohu-a-Māori hei piata mai
Bypassing the many symbols of Māoridom that shine upon your journey

Te whakamōhio te huarahi tika, huarahi pai
To ensure your journey is straight and true

Hei kawe nei tou tira ki tēra wāhi o tatou
Carrying you to that everlasting place

Ki hawaiki nui, hawaiki roa, hawaiki pāmamao
To the big hawaiki, the long hawaiki, the hawaiki far away

Te hono I wairua
Where the spirits meet

Rire rire ... paimarire.
Farewell

Answer 2

Rest In Peace In Maori