Whakakahore Sentence Structure Practice

Te Reo Māori — Years 12–13 | Pūrākau Preparation

Name:

Date:

Te Reo Māori whakakahore worksheet illustration

📚 Wāhanga Tuatahi — Identify and Understand Whakakahore Structures

Reference Guide: Use these colour-coded particles as you work through the exercises below.

🔴 Whakakahore particles: kāore, kāore anō, kāore rānei, kāore i, ehara
🔵 Subjects: ia, rātou, māua, tātou, rāua
🟢 Verbs: haere, kōrero, mahi, noho, mōhio
🟡 Conjunctions: ahakoa, nā reira, engari, ōtia

1. Circle the correct whakakahore particle to complete each sentence.

a) __________ ia i haere ki te kura inanahi.

Kāore

Ehara

Āe

b) __________ anō rātou i oti i a rātou te mahi.

Kāore

Nā reira

Āna

c) __________ ia he rangatira — he tangata noa iho ia.

Ehara

Kāore

2. Read each sentence below. Identify whether it is a simple, compound, or complex whakakahore sentence. Write your answer on the line.

a) Kāore ia i mōhio ki tērā kōrero.
Type: _______________________________

b) Kāore ia i haere ki reira, kāore rānei ia i whakaaro ki reira.
Type: _______________________________

c) Ahakoa kāore ia i reira, i mōhio tonu ia ki ngā kōrero o tōna iwi.
Type: _______________________________

3. Match each whakakahore particle or conjunction to its function. Draw lines to connect them.

kāore i

ehara ... i

kāore anō

ahakoa kāore

Negates identity or classification

Negates a past action

Means "not yet" — incomplete action

Subordinating — "even though ... not"

✏️ Wāhanga Tuarua — Construct and Combine Whakakahore Sentences

Use the colour-coded particles above to help you build your sentences.

4. Rearrange the sentence strips below to form a correct whakakahore sentence. Write the full sentence on the line provided.

Strips: [i ōna mātua] [kāore] [ia] [i rongo]

Sentence: _______________________________________________________________

5. Combine the two simple whakakahore sentences into ONE compound whakakahore sentence using a conjunction from the box (kāore rānei / engari / nā reira).

Sentence A: Kāore ia i kōrero.
Sentence B: Kāore ia i whakarongo.

Combined: _______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

6. Write your own complex whakakahore sentence using ahakoa kāore or nā reira kāore. Your sentence must relate to a pūrākau theme (e.g., a character's struggle, a journey, a decision).

Briefly explain your sentence choice — why does this structure suit your pūrākau?

7. Select the whakataukī or kīwaha below that could be used alongside a whakakahore sentence in your pūrākau. Tick ALL that could apply, then explain your choice.

"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini."

"Kāore e taea." (It cannot be done / It's impossible)

"Kāore au i te mōhio." (I don't know)

"Ehara i te mea nō nāianei." (This is not something of today — it is ancient)

Explain how your chosen whakataukī or kīwaha could enhance your pūrākau presentation:

🪞 Wāhanga Tuatoru — Whakaaro Hōhonu | Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on your learning and plan your next steps for your pūrākau presentation.

8. What new whakakahore structure(s) can you now use confidently in your pūrākau? Name at least one and give an example sentence.

9. How will using whakakahore sentences, whakataukī, and kīwaha strengthen your pūrākau presentation? Write 2–3 sentences.

10. Set yourself ONE goal for using whakakahore sentences in your next pūrākau practice session. Be specific!

My goal: ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

🌟 Whakataukī mō tēnei akoranga:
"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini."
My strength is not from individual effort alone, but from the strength of many.