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Kura Rēhia

He Kupu Āwhina - Helpful words & phrases for playing Kaupapa

He Kupu Āwhina - Helpful words & phrases for playing Kaupapa

$15.00
$15.00
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This downloadable 14-page resource is your ultimate sidekick for playing Kaupapa! It’s designed to make gameplay easier, more engaging, and fun for everyone. Packed with practical words, phrases, and sentence starters, it aligns with the categories and gameplay of the Kaupapa, supporting players of all reo levels. 

Contents include:

  • Essential Gameplay Terms: Handy words like Āe (Yes), Tika (Correct), and Karawhiua! (Go for it!).
  • Category-Specific Phrases: Tailored phrases for describing actions (Mahi), objects (Taputapu), places (Wāhi), nature (Taiao), and more.
  • Sentence Starters: Descriptive and interactive prompts for players of all levels, including beginners, to encourage kōrero and collaboration.
  • He Kīwaha | Colloquial Phrases: Fun and competitive sayings to inject energy and excitement into the game.
  • Encouragement & Competitive Kōrero: Boost team spirit with phrases like Ka mau te wehi! (How terrific!) and Haramai tētahi āhua! (Amazing!).

Whether you're playing to learn, compete, or just have fun, this resource adds depth and flair to your Kaupapa experience.

Print it out or keep it on hand digitally—it’s all about making your time with Kaupapa even more enriching and enjoyable.

This resource was created by the Kura Rēhia team after six years of playing Kaupapa with people with all different levels of reo, and then we passed it on to Hēmi Kelly for quality assurance. 

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frequently asked questions:

Who can play Kaupapa?

Everyone interested in increasing their te reo  - from absolute beginners to fluent speakers. 

There are three levels of difficulty, and each player can play at the level that makes the game a good challenge.

  • BEGINNER → FLUENT
  • 20 - 45 MINUTES
  • 8+ YEARS

How many people can play Kaupapa?

There is actually no limit to the number of players who can play Kaupapa.

We find that it's the most fun and pacey when there are 4-10 players per game.

That said, you can use the cards like flash cards on your own, play in a pair, or get the whole whānau involved. The more players there are, the longer each player will go between describing rounds.

For larger groups, eg. in schools and in tournament settings, we recommend one game per <10 players - keeps things pacey and fun!

How do I play Kaupapa as a total beginner?

On the right hand side of the cards you will find English translations of the Māori words. Use this to help your teammates guess the meaning of the Māori word.

Here are some strategies:

  • Use the Māori word in an English sentence, eg. “It’s getting cold, I’m going to put on my koti”. As soon as their team guesses “coat”, they are correct.

  • Say the Māori word first, then mime or explain its meaning in order to get their team to guess the translation as written on the card. eg. “rakiraki: an animal that goes quack!”

Who created Kaupapa?

The first prototypes of kaupapa were created by us, Kuruho Wereta and Rosie Remmerswaal, when we were flatmates wanting to use more te reo Māori at home.

After playing the kēmu at classes, kura reo & in homes across the motu, we discovered how many people wanted their own copy, so we brought in the A-team!

We worked closely with Aroha Tamihana from Maimoa Creative as graphic designer for the project, and Hēmi Kelly as quality assurer and translator. 

The photos above have been taken by Aroha Tamihana, Mataara Stokes & Zoë Frendin.

Where is Kaupapa made, and is it made sustainably?

Kaupapa has been designed by Kura Rēhia in Aotearoa and made by Soar in Tāmaki Makaurau.

We are proud to support our local economy and make sustainable choices with Papatūānuku in mind.

Soar are New Zealand’s most environmentally-responsible independent print company & hold carboNZero (CertTM) certification.

I'm a kaiako / teacher. Can I get my school to pay the invoice?

Āe. Create your order, and at the checkout, select 'Bank Deposit'.

Access your invoice by clicking the red 'Download PDF Invoice' button in your order confirmation email. Pass the invoice on to your accounts team to pay directly.

If you can't see your order confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam and promotions folders.

I want to order 5 or more games. How can do I this?

Just click whakapā pai and send us a message, including the delivery address and billing info. We'll create an invoice for you.

"Kaupapa caters for all levels of fluency and is already a firm favourite at our hui."

- Jennifer Ward-Lealand CNZM -

Watch: Kaupapa Game in a Minute
Kaupapa game timer

Learn more about the creation of Kaupapa:

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