Karakia are often translated as prayers or incantations, spoken to help ensure a favourable outcome for whatever lies ahead. But that translation only scratches the surface. At their heart, karakia are ritual chants that call on spiritual guidance and protection, forming a bridge between people, the natural world, and atua — the guardians who watch over our physical and spiritual wellbeing (hauora).
In Mahi Raranga, karakia mark the natural rhythm of our work — when harvesting, to give thanks for the materials we’re about to receive; to open and close a weaving day; and when we pause to share a meal together.
Karakia Within Mahi Raranga
Hauhake/Tapahi (Harvesting/Cutting): Before any harakeke is cut, a karakia is spoken to thank Tāne and Papatūānuku, ask their permission, and safeguard the plant’s future growth.
Tīmatanga (Opening the Work): A short chant at the start of a session settles the mind and steadies the hands before weaving begins.
Honouring the Material: Karakia help maintain the tapu of the harakeke throughout the process — a reminder that the plant is a living relative within our whakapapa, not just a resource.
Whakamutunga (Closing the Day): A closing karakia gently brings the creative space to an end and eases the weaver back into everyday life.
Karakia in the Wider Māori World
Karakia hold a similar place across Te Ao Māori more broadly. Hui typically open and close with them, grounding everyone in a shared purpose. Karakia mō te kai blesses food before eating, and other short chants welcome the new day or clear heavy energy. They also carry weight at pivotal moments — healing, entering new spaces, or before travel — offering protection through transition.
We don’t claim any expertise here. What we do know is that every rohe, and even every whānau, holds its own karakia. If this is a part of Mahi Raranga you want to explore further, we’d encourage you to seek guidance from your own Kuia, Kaumātua, Kaiako, or Marae.
Below, we share some of the karakia we learned while studying Mahi Raranga at Unitec — more general in their wording, and hopefully a helpful starting point if you’re just beginning this journey.
Karakia Hauhake/harvesting
Karakia Timatanga
Karakia Whakamutunga
Karakia mō te kai
To start/open
To close/finish
