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Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka engages the services of an external licensed Māori translator. Translation requests can be made for divisions, departments, buildings, programmes, roles and services. Please seek approval if requesting on behalf of other departments.

Translations are provided in both generic Māori and southern Māori (Kāi Tahu) dialect.

You will be notified via email and the name or title requested will be included on the complete list of terms.

Already translated? Please check the lists of Māori translations

Organisational units list

Includes official names of:

  • Academic units (e.g. School of Biomedical Sciences)
  • Administrative units (e.g. External Engagement)
  • University Committees
  • Colleges
  • Research Centres, Themes, Networks, and groups

Roles and job titles list

Includes:

  • Academic job titles
  • Professional staff positions
  • Academic administrative roles
  • Teaching roles
  • Research roles

Physical signage list

Includes:

  • Buildings
  • Library areas
  • Café menu items
  • Rooms and laboratories
  • Directions
  • Welcome signs (conferences, events, clinics etc.)

University-related terms list

Includes:

  • Official titles of Subjects, Qualifications, Papers
  • Official titles for University publications (e.g. Guide to Enrolment)
  • General student admission, degree and study terms
  • Annual University/student events and activities (e.g. orientation, open days)
  • Research terms (e.g. facilities/services, research study names)

Documents and forms list

Includes:

  • Common document headings, sub-headings, and phrases found on hard-copy documents and forms
  • Assessment handouts
  • Terms used for online forms

Website terms list

Includes:

  • Common H1 page titles (e.g. About us, Our people)
  • Common subheadings (e.g. Registration, Contact details)
  • Instructions (e.g. log in, next, register now)
  • Specific H1 page titles (e.g. Pacific at OMS)
  • Writing Style Guide terms (e.g. Telephone/Tel)

Apps and technology list

Includes:

  • University systems and platforms (e.g. Blackboard, Turnitin)
  • Common apps (e.g. Zoom)
  • Terms relating to digital technology (e.g. Live streaming, My favourites)
  • Computer brands (e.g. Macintosh)

General terms and phrases list

Includes:

  • General workplace terms (e.g. “diverse work environment”)
  • University marketing
  • Words, phrases and sentences (e.g. “audacious”, “awesome work”, “a new dawn”)
  • Months
  • Non-University of Otago entities

Requests for Māori signage and translation

Requests for signage and translations are on hold. They will resume later in 2025.

External resources for te reo Māori

Te Aka Māori Dictionary
For looking up individual terms and concepts, please use the online version of Te Aka Māori-English, English-Māori Dictionary and Index.

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