The origin of Takiwaatanga: An interview with Keri Opai

Every year, new words are created in te reo Maaori. Te Reo Haapai is a project dedicated to making new te reo words in the mental health, addiction, and disability sectors.

In 2017, Keri Opai (Te Aatiawa, Ngaati Ruanui, Ngaati Te Ata, Waiohua, Ngaati Porou) created the word “takiwaatanga” as the reo Maaori word for autism. It means “in my/his/her/their own space and time.”

Creation of the kupu came about by speaking to autistic people and their whaanau, as well as through conversations with clinicians and practitioners.

I was lucky enough to catch up with Keri himself to learn about the process of creating new words, hear his reflections on takiwaatanga since its creation, and find out what he has been working on lately. Luckily, Keri lives in Kirikiriroa. So we met up for lunch and had a koorero.

It’s been nine years since you created the word takiwaatanga, has your understanding of the word changed over time?

Keri: Yes. I think it has to, because nothing is static, everything is dynamic. Language changes and thoughts evolve. It’s about giving neurodivergent people words and terms that they can relate to and belong to rather than have them pushed onto you. At the time, people were coming to me asking for a word for “Asperger’s Syndrome”, and now people don’t use that term anymore, things have moved on since then.

When I first started, it was more “too anoo takiwaa” meaning in his/her/their space and time. As time goes on, we have more of an emphasis of including the “their” as a way to include non-binary and gender-fluid people.

How long does it take to create a new word?

Keri: It varies, the shortest time is two weeks, and the longest time is one year. It depends on who you get input from, and how much information there is to analyse. In creating takiwaatanga, I met with individuals and whaanau, but it just didn’t come to me until I talked to a whaanau who spoke in te reo Maaori the whole time. It came to me after that. It can take up to a year, but it’s never half pai.

Maioha: Do you think some people just want transliterations when they ask you to make a new word?

Keri: What would a transliteration even be for autism?

Maioha: Autimi?

Keri: That sounds awful! It’s nearly as bad as another kupu I heard for microwave - microwewhe.

Maioha: That doesn’t even sound like a Maaori word.

Keri: Actually, my oldest daughter emphasised not using transliterations, because it makes you lazy. I wouldn’t be able to create these words if I didn’t have input from my daughter.

What are the biggest challenges with creation?

Keri: Budget. Money. I have bugger all. I need to travel lots and talk to people. It feels disrespectful using Teams all the time. I don’t want to have to skrimp and save. Money is a real concern. In reality, I am quite concerned that I’m the only one doing this. I don’t have any apprentices. If I won Lotto I’d be able to pay people to do this. I’m not getting any younger, and we need to develop proper words, unlike microwewhe or autimi.

Maioha: It sounds like you are struggling with money and succession planning then?

Keri: Yeah, I work with other groups, they asked me the other day “if you weren’t doing this work, who would?” No one. I think we should be paid to do this work. I’m paid a little stipend to do this, but really it should be a full-time job, and I need two apprentices.

Do you have a model or framework so someone could pick this work up after you retire?

Keri: No, I don’t, but there are certain things you could do. You have to check Te Aka first to see if there’s a word there already. I was asked about a word for schizophrenia, and I had some ideas, but there was already a word for it. Nobody could do this without a lifetime of translating, interpreting, and having an interpreters licence. I told my boss that I can’t sit in an office all day, I need to sit in the sun, the wind, and sea so I can do science and art.

Maioha: Research without art is just data on a shelf.

Keri: Exactly. When I started my PhD, I told Te Awanuiaarangi that I can’t just sit here for years and not have my research used as a practical application for our people. I was asked to write my book by publishers. It sold out in one week. It sold on Amazon and all over the world. Honestly, we need 20,000 words and I can only do 15 a year.

What feedback have you had over the years about the word takiwaatanga?

Keri: I feel humbled, because most communities (especially the takiwaatanga community) have been appreciative. Like you said earlier, people love it and feel like they’ve found a place. It’s something that people around the world can relate to. Many indigenous people relate to it, and I still get emails from around the world saying thank you for coming up with a concept that they can relate to. Who would have thought?

Maioha: Oh wow!

Keri: I’m also working with other people around the world on their own languages. There’s even a Somalian word based on takiwaatanga and I’ve had the privilege of working with people around the world on their own indigenous languages. That’s been amazing, loved that.

Are there any interesting projects you are currently working on right now, anything cool!?

Keri: I always find Te Reo Haapai fascinating, I get lots of input from different people. It’s my most interesting, creative project. I’m also working on a second book about my kaumaatua and his mentorship, and what it was like to do an apprenticeship for 35 years.

NOTE: the reo in this article uses double vowels, rather than macrons because the author uses Tainui mita as they live in Waikato, and have whakapapa to Ngaati Paaoa.

Maioha Tawa is part of our Community Reporters Programme for 2026. This programme supports The D*List's commitment to nurturing the next generation of disabled storytellers in Aotearoa. You can read more about our Community Reporters Programme here.