Welcome to the māori world
Nau mai ki te ao māori
We warmly welcome the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) to Tocatì—a space where cultures meet through play. Here, games are more than entertainment; they are a way of sharing knowledge, values, and connections between people, land, and ancestry.
In Māori culture, knowledge is passed down through stories, gestures, symbols, and everyday life. Tākaro (games) are an important part of this—offering ways to learn, reflect, and connect with each other, with nature; the past, present and future.
Ngā taonga tākaro, traditional Māori games, hold tribal knowledge, local histories, and teachings that relate directly to the land and the environment. These games are living knowledge systems, containing pūrākau (story traditions) and hidden learnings known as kura huna.
For Māori, identity is shaped through play, song, art, movement, and memory. Every game has its own whakapapa, a lineage, that links people to place; to the natural world. The games reflect the worldview of the tūpuna (ancestors) who created, played, and passed them on.
When we play them today, we keep those stories alive.
At the heart of these games are enduring Māori values:
Manaakitanga – Generosity and care. Seen in the way we host, share, and connect—values echoed throughout Tocatì in the spirit of exchange and welcome.
Whanaungatanga – Relationships and belonging. Games strengthen these bonds, reminding us that we are part of a larger whole.
Kaitiakitanga – Guardianship of land, life, and heritage. Even in games, there is respect for people, the body, and the environment.
Tapu and Noa – Spiritual balance. Concepts that distinguish what is tapu (sacred/restricted) from what is noa (common and without restriction).
A greeting in Māori
A simple Māori greeting is “kia ora” — a phrase that means “let there be life”, but also “hello”, “thank you”, and “be well”. It is used widely and warmly in everyday life.
A culture that tells its story
He kōrero pūrākau — stories told through play
In Māori tradition, games are part of ritual. They carry rhythm, memory, and meaning. The Māori games at Tocatì are not simply physical activities—they are ways of celebrating life, community, and cultural continuity.
Each one combines skill and fun with deeper layers: a song, a memory, a shared moment.
In Te Whai Wawewawe a Māui we unravel hidden secrets to the universe within a simple loop of string weaving. In Horohopu, each pass of the ball is a gesture of trust. In Matau Māui, unity and attention bring the circle of players together.
An invitation to participate
The Māori games space is open to everyone. This is not a culture on display, but a culture alive. Join in with your body, your senses, and your curiosity.
At Tocatì, games sing a universal language.
“Kia kawea tātou e te rēhia, e te harikoa, e te mataraharaha.”
Let us be carried by the joy of play, of laughter, of shared experience.
