We gave each other more looks. What she could see was me going as red as a sunburnt bum. What I could see was her smiling at me as I went as red as a sunburnt bum.
"Kei te pēhea koe?' means 'how are you?"" June continued, as if speaking to a slightly dim child, which, by this time, felt about right.
"What should I say in return?" I ventured.
"You should say 'Kei te pai', 'I'm good"," "Kei te..." "Kei te pai," June repeated, then "Eat the pie!" She hooted like a happy ruru and so, of course, did I. "Ka pai, ka pai," I said quickly, just to prove I had more in my kete than just "kia ora" - though, frankly, not much more and this made her laugh even harder.
It is one of the many chagrins of my life that I am, despite my (admittedly slapdash) mahi, bloody hopeless at te reo. My excuse, as I explained shamefacedly to June, is I wasn't taught any of it when I was at school in the 1970s and early 80s.
Denne historien er fra May 27 - June 2 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra May 27 - June 2 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
