Words of Maori origin, have entered many languages. Many such words have entered New Zealand English, and are considered native words. Some of those words have in turn been exported from New Zealand English to other branches of the English language and to other languages. For example: The accepted English common names of a number of species of animal and plant endemic to New Zealand are simply their Maori names.

• kauri: a large conifer in the Araucariaceae
• kea: the alpine parrot
• kiwi: the bird, a New Zealander, or sometimes the kiwi fruit
• mako, the shark considered a magnificent fighter by game-fisherman
• moa: the extinct giant flightless bird
• tuatara: rare lizard-like reptile, not closely related to any other species currently alive
• mana: Very roughly, the regard in which someone is held; respect of their authority; reputation
• haka (Traditional Maori war-dance, used by New Zealand's sports teams when performing internationally to 'intimidate' the opponent),
• hangi (traditional feast)
• hikoi (march or walk)
• hui (meeting)
• iwi (tribe)
• kai (meaning "food"; also "kai moana" meaning "sea food")
• kia ora (a greeting, literally be healthy)
• pa (a hill fort)
• Pakeha (New Zealander of non-Maori, usually European, descent)
• pounamu (Greenstone)
• Tangata Whenua (literally people of the land, an alternative name for the Maori)
• tangi (funeral and/or wake)
• taonga (sacred treasure or gift)
• waka (canoe)
• whanau (family)