Māori Grammar

Most words fit into either the 'a' or 'o' categories. A table is 'a' category and a chair (because we sit on it) is 'o' category:

Tāku tepu.
My table.

Tōku tūru.
My chair.

However, some words can fit into either category. For example, animals are in the 'a' category while modes of transport are in the 'o' category. A horse, therefore, will either be in the 'a' or 'o' category depending on whether it is a pet ('a') or a means of transport ('o'):

Tāku hōihi.
My (pet) horse.

Tōku hōiho.
My horse (that I ride).

Also, things that I have made is in the 'a' category. Therefore, even though a chair is in the 'o' category, if I made the chair then it can be in the 'o' category:

Tōku tūru.
My chair (that I sit on).

Tāku tūru.
My chair (that I made).

Similarly, a waka is ordinarily a means of transport and should be in the 'o' category. However, a name for the South Island is Te Waka a Maui. This particular waka is in the 'a' category because it was made by Maui and is therefore his work.

When one thing is a part of something else it is in the 'o' category. Therefore, while fish and birds, being animals, are ordinarily in the 'a' category (āku ika, āku manu, "my fish, my birds"), when they are part of something, they are in the 'o' category:

Ngā ika o te moana.
The fish of the ocean.

Ngā manu o te ngahere.
The birds of the forest.

Work is ordinarily in the 'a' category (tāku mahi, "my work"), but when it is part of something else, it also becomes 'o' category:

Ngā mahi o te marae.
The work of the marae.