Aua - unique idioms of Nga Rauru, Whanganui & Taranaki

Published: May 24, 2019, 3:19 a.m.

b'K\\u012bwaha? What is it and why is it so important to the survival of the M\\u0101ori language? Pro-fessor Wharehuia Milroy describes k\\u012bwaha as a unique language expression derived from the personal learning experience of the author during an event. It may make no sense to anyone else but the author, their immediate family, or people. K\\u012bwaha can be termed as an informal language tool, slang or idiom that expresses the emotional state of a speaker.\\n\\nIn support of the revitalisation of the M\\u0101ori language, we have selected 10 k\\u012bwaha from Ng\\u0101 Rauru, Whanganui and Taranaki. These are all presented using our M\\u0101ori language and our special mita (rhythm). That is the \\u201ch\\u201d is not strongly enunciated when Taranaki, Whanganui and Ng\\u0101 Rauru speak.\\n\\nToday\\u2019s k\\u012bwaha is \\u201cAua\\u201d. Its English equivalent is, \\u201cI don\\u2019t know\\u201d or \\u201cI wouldn\\u2019t have a clue.\\n\\u201cKei whea t\\u0101u tuahine? \\u201cAua!\\u201d\\n\\u201cWhere\\u2019s your sister?\\u201d \\u201cI wouldn\\u2019t have a clue!\\u201d\\nPhoto Credit: https://www.google.com'