Representatives from the New Zealand Council of Sikh Affairs attended the tangi for Kīngi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, where they shared the te reo Māori translation of the opening verses of the Japji Sahib.
It’s the first Sikh scripture to ever be translated into te reo, they said.
NZ Council of Sikh Affairs’ general secretary Gurtej Singh said the Japji Sahib is a Sikh prayer written by Guru Nanak and is one of the foundational texts of the Sikh faith.
It has 38 stanzas and the concluding Saloka, which covers philosophical teachings on spirituality, ethical conduct and the path to salvation, he said.
Singh said the Council of Sikh Affairs “recognise the importance of making sacred texts accessible to indigenous communities” and this translation was meticulously carried out by Ōkupu Ki Tua.
The Māori version of Japji Sahib has been released on the council’s website, with plans to release it through public libraries, gurdwaras, educational institutions and marae across New Zealand, as well as printing copies in India.
“This initiative not only promotes interfaith understanding but also acknowledges the shared values of respect, spirituality, and community that resonate across both Sikh and Māori cultures,” Singh said.
For Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Re: News asked different religious groups about the efforts they’re making to connect with Māori and translating their scriptures into te reo.
New Zealand Buddhist Council
Robert Hunt is the chairman of the New Zealand Buddhist Council, which sits above a number of Buddhist member organisations, and says there are Māori Buddhists in his community.
“Some of our members have te reo Māori speaking attendees. At least one has started using passages in te reo Māori within their chanting services,” he said.
In 2021, the homepage of the Buddhist Council’s website was translated into te reo Māori.
“For the translation we commissioned an iwi-based te reo specialist, and also incorporated advice from a respected Māori scholar on the most appropriate rendering of important Buddhist terms.”
Hunt said the Buddhist Council is currently working on changes to its constitution to make the role of te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori values explicit in its objectives.
Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand
Mustafa Farouq is the social cohesion co-chairman of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and estimates the Māori Muslim population is about 1600 across New Zealand, with the largest concentration being in Auckland.
The authentic translation of the Quran from Arabic to te reo Māori is a long-term project which started over a decade ago, he said.
“Any translation requires both external and internal validation so the nuanced narratives have accuracy, authenticity and credibility,” Farouq said.
“The late Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero had a copy of the part Māori translated version of the Quran which he fondly shared with elders of FIANZ in his private chambers.”
He said many verses of the Quran have been translated into te reo, including The Opening verse, because Muslims are required to pray five times a day and many religious facets of life also require understanding the Quran.
“Given that there are many Māori Muslims within our community, cross-cultural ties are essential for our social cohesion and ongoing learning and understanding,” Farouq said.
He said FIANZ has long-standing relationships with leaders of almost all iwi and hapū, and recognises its responsibilities as tangata tiriti, which it works towards with respect.
Hindu Council of New Zealand
Guna Magesan is the president of the Hindu Council of New Zealand and said the organisation has a plan to bring the Bhagavad Gita into Māori and it will work with the right people to translate it.
The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse scripture which is part of the Hindu epic Mahabrata.
Magesan said the Hindu Council has been actively collaborating with Māori since its inception in 1996, guided by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which means ‘the world is one family’.
“All official functions organised by the council begin with a karakia by a kaumatua, reflecting the deep respect and strong relationship built with the Maori over the years,” he said.
Magesan recalls Kiingi Tuuheitia inaugurating the second Hindu conference held in New Zealand in 2008, where he lit a traditional lamp, and says that it marked the growing bond between the two communities.
“As we continue to collaborate with the Māori to preserve and promote their culture, we encourage Hindus worldwide to engage and build bridges with the indigenous communities in their respective countries,” Magesan said.
Future translations
Hunt said further translation of resources is not in the New Zealand Buddhist Council’s 2024/25 plan.
He said it’s because the organisation is small, run by unpaid volunteers and is currently focussed on safety and security, which are issues the Buddhist community shares with other faith groups.
“The translation of the vast array of Buddhist religious texts from source languages is a delicate and complex scholastic undertaking for those with appropriate specialised training and support,” Hunt said.
Singh said the Council of Sikh Affairs has plans for further translations and are focused on ensuring each is done thoughtfully and meaningfully.
“We would certainly encourage other religious groups to explore similar translations, as it can help to create stronger connections with Māori communities and foster a deeper sense of shared values and respect.”
