General
whānau
What does whānau mean?
Family in the broad Māori sense, encompassing extended relatives and sometimes close friends and community.
"The whole whānau turned up for the birthday."
Origin
From Māori 'whānau' (extended family); in common New Zealand English use.
Frequently asked questions
What does whānau mean?
Whānau is the Māori word for family in a broad sense, including extended relatives and sometimes close friends and community, not just the immediate household.
How do you pronounce whānau?
It's said FAH-now, with the 'wh' pronounced like an 'f' in te reo Māori.
Is whānau just immediate family?
No, it goes wider than immediate family, covering extended kin and often the wider group of people you're close to.
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