Te Reo Hāpai - The Language of Enrichment

Te Reo Hāpai is a Māori language glossary for use in the mental health, addiction and disability sectors. It is about enriching language, including ‘words of great power’ in te reo from a strengths base and a mana enhancing Māori worldview for the benefit of tāngata whai ora.

The glossary was created by former Te Pou Paeārahi Strategic Lead, Keri Opai.

Wherever possible, Te Reo Hāpai combines the lived experience of tāngata whai ora and tāngata whaikaha with clinician and practitioner input. Feedback, information and guidance has also been provided by an expert advisory panel in creating over 200 interpretations for the unique terminology used by the mental health, addiction and disability sectors.

Te Reo Hāpai is by no means a comprehensive word list. More te reo research and creation in these sectors is urgently needed to continue to enhance language used. Space is available in this resource for readers to note iwi, rohe and kaumātua variations and contribute to future growth of the glossary.

An online glossary with new words and pronunciation was launched in 2020. To visit it, click below.