Formal and Respectful:
* Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tātou katoa. (Greetings to you all)
* E te whānau, e ngā hoa, e te iwi. (To the family, friends, and people)
* Kua tae mai tēnei ra mō te tangi a [name of the deceased]. (This day has come for the mourning of [name of the deceased].)
* Nō te wā o te tangi, ka mihi ahau ki a koutou katoa, i tae mai nei ki te tautoko i a mātou i tēnei wā. (During this time of mourning, I thank you all for coming to support us at this time.)
More Personal:
* E te whānau, tēnā koutou. (To the family, greetings to you)
* Kei te pouri matou i te ngaro o [name of the deceased]. (We are saddened by the loss of [name of the deceased].)
* He tangata nui tēnei i ngaro i a tātou. (A great person has been lost from us.)
* Ka mahara tonu tātou ki a [name of the deceased] i roto i ō tātou ngakau. (We will forever remember [name of the deceased] in our hearts.)
Emphasizing the Importance of the Deceased:
* E te whānau, ka tū mai nei tātou ki te whakanui i te ora o [name of the deceased]. (Family, we stand here to celebrate the life of [name of the deceased].)
* He tangata whai mana, he tangata rongonui, he tangata aroha nui a [name of the deceased]. ( [Name of the deceased] was a person of authority, respect, and great love.)
* Ka ngaro atu tēnei pou whakairo ki te ao. (This carved pillar has been lost from the world.)
Remember:
* You can also use a Māori proverb (whakatauki) to open your eulogy.
* The tone of your eulogy should be appropriate for the context and the relationship you had with the deceased.
* If you're not fluent in Māori, it's best to seek the help of a speaker who can translate and deliver your eulogy in the language.
These are just a few suggestions, and you can tailor the starting lines to be more specific and personal to your situation. It's important to speak from the heart and to share your memories and feelings about the person who has passed.