kei te ... Play
1. (particle) in the act of, is, are - when followed by a verb indicates continuing action in the present or future.
Kei te mekemeke ngā tāngata. / The men are boxing.
(Te Kākano
Textbook (Ed. 2):
12-14, 82; Te Kākano
Study Guide (Ed. 1):
13; Te Māhuri
Study Guide (Ed. 1):
74;)
3. Sometimes used as a stylistic device when narrating a story set in the past to add excitement to the account.
Ka ū a Hinemoa ki te waiariki raka, kei te whakamahana i a ia, he wiri nōna i te māeke (Biggs 1997:105). / When Hinemoa reaches that hot pool, she warms herself because she is shivering from the cold.
Ahakoa kei te hōkarikari aku waewae, kei te hāparangi taku waha ki te karanga, kāore he tangata i aro ake ki a au (HP 1991:20). / Although I'm holding my legs stiff and yelling out, nobody's taking any notice of me.
(Te Māhuri
Study Guide (Ed. 1):
74;)
