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The word me, at the start of a sentence, means that someone should do something:
Me haere au.
I should go.
Me waiata ia.
She should sing.
To negate this kind of sentence, and say that I shouldn't go, or that she shouldn't sing, we begin the sentence with kaua e. If the verb is transitive then we add a passive ending to the word.
Me tahu te ahi.
We should light the fire.
Kaua e tahuna te ahi.
We shouldn’t light the fire.
Kaua te ahi e tahuna.
We shouldn’t light the fire.
Kaua tātou e pakipaki.
We shouldn't clap.Kaua e hoatu ngā kī ki a Koro.
Do not give the keys to Grandfather.Kaua ngā tamariki e whakatā.
The kids shouldn't rest.Kaua e rahi te kīnaki.
Don't give me lots of sauce.Kaua koe e pātai mai.
You shouldn't ask me.Engari ka whakaarotia kia kaua e whakamatea mā te patu.
But it was decided that [he] would not be killed with a weapon.Kia kaua e ngāwari tō reo.
Don't speak gently.Kaua koutou e kawe moni ki te kura.
You shouldn't take money to school.Kaua te parāoa e tapahia.
You shouldn't slice the bread.Kaua koutou e haere takirua.
You should not go in pairs.Kaua e waiatahia he waiata ngahau.
You should not sing a joyful song.Kaua e tuhia he reta roa.
You shouldn't write a long letter.Kaua a Kauri e oma.
Kauri shouldn't run.Kaua tātou e pakipaki.
We shouldn't clap.Kaua koe e mau pōtae.
You shouldn't wear a hat.Kaua te umu e whakangia.
You shouldn't turn on the oven.Kaua e whakahokia ngā tūru kākāriki.
You shouldn't return the green chairs.Kaua ngā kāroti e waruwaruhia.
You shouldn't peel the carrots.Kaua e ngāwari tō reo.
Don't speak gently.Kaua tātou e noho ngū.
Let's not stay silent.