Maori Language Week 2023

Te Wiki o te Reo MAori MĀORI

WEEK

11-17 SEP 2023

SPEAK IT, make it stronger

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) is a popular, government-sponsored initiative promoting the use of Māori language. It is celebrated annually in September starting on a Monday and ending on the following Sunday. 2023 dates are: September 11-17 (11-17 Hepetema). And the theme in 2023 is Making the Language Stronger (Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori)

Around the world, cultures and indigenous people who have been colonised by larger powers are seeking to revitalise their languages. Examples include the Welsh, the Irish, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, and the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people of Canada.

Indigenous languages are important for many reasons.

Researchers say that each language contains a unique, relational way of naming, seeing, and relating to the world that is particular to a speci c area, land, and ecosystem. Indigenous languages are like ecological encyclopaedias and ancestral

guides with profound knowledge cultivated over centuries. If these languages are not passed on, then this wisdom is lost to humanity and the generations to come. Erasing a language e ectively erases a culture and a people. The critical revitalisation of indigenous languages can include doing things as simple as erecting dual language road signs.

A Māori language claim to the Waitangi Tribunal included this question from claimants: if it is worthwhile saving endangered birds such as the takahē, then is it not also worthwhile to save a language and the culture it supports?

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is part of the broader Māori language revival. The week aims to inspire New Zealanders to speak the Māori language proudly and to experience the richness of our culture. This special week is an opportunity to celebrate and promote te reo Māori, helping to secure its future as a living, dynamic, and rich language.

Are you up for te reo Māori challenge during Mahuru Māori?

Mahuru refers to the fourth lunar month of the new year, roughly equivalent to Hepetema (September).

Even if your te reo Māori skills stop at ‘kia ora,’ Mahuru Māori is something we can all attempt.

 Set your challenge: as a beginner just start with greeting and farewells in Māori.

 Get your mates involved.

 Speak te reo Māori: as much as you can. Let’s give Mahuru Māori our best shot.

“E tautoko ana a Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa te wiki o te Reo Maori – Kia kaha Te Reo Maori!”

Te Taiao Team 2023. Photo Credit: Katie Brassel

Te Wiki o te Reo MAori

History of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori Ways to observe Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

In the early 1970s, it became clear that very few people in New Zealand could speak Māori. Many people were concerned about this state of decline and signed a petition for the Māori Language, which was organised by the Te Reo Māori Society.

The petition was signed by approximately 30,000 people and presented to parliament on 14 September 1972. This day became recognised as Māori Language Day in the year 1975 and was responsible for the formation of Māori Language Week.

Kōhanga reo (Māori-language pre-schools) were introduced in 1982.

The future of te reo Māori was the subject of a claim before the Waitangi Tribunal in 1985. The tribunal’s recommendations were farreaching and led to legislative and policy changes that assisted in the resurgence of te reo Māori.

Māori became an o cial language of New Zealand in 1987. Te Taura Whiri Te

Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) was established in the same year to promote te reo Māori. Along with the Human Rights Commission and Te Puni Kōkiri, it plays a key role in the annual Māori Language Week.

In 2008, Google Māori was launched to celebrate Māori Language Week. Google and the Māori Language Commission were collaborators on the project which lasted about a year. The complexity of translating technical terms meant over 40 people were involved in making it a reality.

New Zealand’s national cricket team, the Black Caps, played their rst match under the name Aotearoa to mark Māori Language Week in 2015.

Disney’s 2016 lm Moana was translated into Māori and premiered in Auckland as part of the 2017 celebration.

Original cast members in the English version of the lm, such as Oscar Kightley, Jemaine Clement, Rachel House, and Temuera Morrison, reprised their roles in the Māori version.

During Māori Language week that year, over 30 theatres in the country allowed free screenings of the new version.

In 2021, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori was marked with a special event when more than 1.1 million people set out to speak Māori at the same time on 14 September. The event was called Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Moment)

Today, there are Māorilanguage schools, radio stations and a television channel. There was a time when some people objected to hearing Māori greetings such as ‘Kia ora’. The campaign to revive the language has been a long one.

Sources: NZ History. Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission)

Take part in the Māori Language Moment

All of Aotearoa is asked to stop what they’re doing and celebrate te reo Māori at noon, on 14 Hepetema (September). This marks the very moment the Māori Language Petition was presented to Parliament in 1972.

You can kōrero (speak) waiata (sing) or pānui (read) - whatever you do, do it in te reo Māori. Take a moment for te reo Māori as we all acknowledge the past, celebrate the present, and prepare for the future.

Sign up at www.reomaori.co.nz

Correct your pronunciation.

Many of us just say the words without even trying to pronounce them correctly. If you’re not sure how to pronounce a word, ask a Māori friend or look it up online. There are several videos up on YouTube that can help you through this.

Māori vowel sounds are pronounced di erently to vowels in English.

IN MĀORI YOU PRONOUNCE:

 ‘a’ as ah.

 ‘e’ as the ai in air.

 ‘i’ as ee.

 ‘o’ as or.

 ‘u’ as oo.

 ‘au’ as the oe in hoe.

 ‘ea’ as the ea in ‘tear’.

 ‘ei’ as ay.

A macron over a vowel means the vowel is longer in length.

 Waka Kotahi is pronounced ‘wah-cah cor-tah-hee’.

 Tinui is pronounced ‘tee-noo-ee’.

 He pene tāhau (do you have a pen could borrow?) is pronounced ‘hai pai-nai taah-hoe’.

 Ngaumutawa Road is pronounced ‘ng-oe-moo-tah-wah’.

 Kei hea te wharepaku (where’s the toilet?) is pronounced ‘kay hea tair fa-re-pah-k-oo.

Learn some new words.

Try to learn at least a dozen Māori words before Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is up. You can also label rooms and furniture in your home. To make it more fun, get a friend to join you in learning. This way you can practice communicating in Māori. Here are a few:

 Ka kite – see you again (informal)

 Pōmarie – good night or good evening.

 Whaea – mother.

 Tahi – the number one.

 Whutupōro – rugby.

 Ika me nga riwai –sh and chips.

 Ko pakaru taku rorohiko - my computer is broken.

Te Kaunihera -a-Rohe O Taratahi (Carterton District Council) supports Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori and the Māori Language Moment, honouring Te Reo with lessons for staff,

Te Wiki o te Reo MAori

History of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori Ways to observe Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

In the early 1970s, it became clear that very few people in New Zealand could speak Māori. Many people were concerned about this state of decline and signed a petition for the Māori Language, which was organised by the Te Reo Māori Society.

The petition was signed by approximately 30,000 people and presented to parliament on 14 September 1972. This day became recognised as Māori Language Day in the year 1975 and was responsible for the formation of Māori Language Week.

Kōhanga reo (Māori-language pre-schools) were introduced in 1982.

The future of te reo Māori was the subject of a claim before the Waitangi Tribunal in 1985. The tribunal’s recommendations were farreaching and led to legislative and policy changes that assisted in the resurgence of te reo Māori.

Māori became an o cial language of New Zealand in 1987. Te Taura Whiri Te

Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) was established in the same year to promote te reo Māori. Along with the Human Rights Commission and Te Puni Kōkiri, it plays a key role in the annual Māori Language Week.

In 2008, Google Māori was launched to celebrate Māori Language Week. Google and the Māori Language Commission were collaborators on the project which lasted about a year. The complexity of translating technical terms meant over 40 people were involved in making it a reality.

New Zealand’s national cricket team, the Black Caps, played their rst match under the name Aotearoa to mark Māori Language Week in 2015.

Disney’s 2016 lm Moana was translated into Māori and premiered in Auckland as part of the 2017 celebration.

Original cast members in the English version of the lm, such as Oscar Kightley, Jemaine Clement, Rachel House, and Temuera Morrison, reprised their roles in the Māori version.

During Māori Language week that year, over 30 theatres in the country allowed free screenings of the new version.

In 2021, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori was marked with a special event when more than 1.1 million people set out to speak Māori at the same time on 14 September. The event was called Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Moment)

Today, there are Māorilanguage schools, radio stations and a television channel. There was a time when some people objected to hearing Māori greetings such as ‘Kia ora’. The campaign to revive the language has been a long one.

Sources: NZ History. Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission)

Take part in the Māori Language Moment

All of Aotearoa is asked to stop what they’re doing and celebrate te reo Māori at noon, on 14 Hepetema (September). This marks the very moment the Māori Language Petition was presented to Parliament in 1972.

You can kōrero (speak) waiata (sing) or pānui (read) - whatever you do, do it in te reo Māori. Take a moment for te reo Māori as we all acknowledge the past, celebrate the present, and prepare for the future.

Sign up at www.reomaori.co.nz

Correct your pronunciation.

Many of us just say the words without even trying to pronounce them correctly. If you’re not sure how to pronounce a word, ask a Māori friend or look it up online. There are several videos up on YouTube that can help you through this.

Māori vowel sounds are pronounced di erently to vowels in English.

IN MĀORI YOU PRONOUNCE:

 ‘a’ as ah.

 ‘e’ as the ai in air.

 ‘i’ as ee.

 ‘o’ as or.

 ‘u’ as oo.

 ‘au’ as the oe in hoe.

 ‘ea’ as the ea in ‘tear’.

 ‘ei’ as ay.

A macron over a vowel means the vowel is longer in length.

 Waka Kotahi is pronounced ‘wah-cah cor-tah-hee’.

 Tinui is pronounced ‘tee-noo-ee’.

 He pene tāhau (do you have a pen could borrow?) is pronounced ‘hai pai-nai taah-hoe’.

 Ngaumutawa Road is pronounced ‘ng-oe-moo-tah-wah’.

 Kei hea te wharepaku (where’s the toilet?) is pronounced ‘kay hea tair fa-re-pah-k-oo.

Learn some new words.

Try to learn at least a dozen Māori words before Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is up. You can also label rooms and furniture in your home. To make it more fun, get a friend to join you in learning. This way you can practice communicating in Māori. Here are a few:

 Ka kite – see you again (informal)

 Pōmarie – good night or good evening.

 Whaea – mother.

 Tahi – the number one.

 Whutupōro – rugby.

 Ika me nga riwai –sh and chips.

 Ko pakaru taku rorohiko - my computer is broken.

Te Kaunihera -a-Rohe O Taratahi (Carterton District Council) supports Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori and the Māori Language Moment, honouring Te Reo with lessons for staff,

E whakahīhī ana mātou Te Kaunihera ā-rohe o Wairarapa me Te Whare Pukapuka o Wairarapa hei tautoko i te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - Masterton District Council and Library is proud to support Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

Kia ora! Please join us at the library throughout the week for our community celebrations.

Rāhina 11 Mahuru

3:30 - 4:30pm Raranga he tohuwāhi

Rātū 12 Mahuru

3:30 - 4:30pm Hangaia he tī rākau

Rāapa 13 Mahuru

10:30 - 11:30am Wā p ānui pukapuka

3:30 - 5pm Kiriata reo Māori

Rāpare 14 Mahuru

10:30 - 11:30am Wā p ānui pukapuka puanga

5 - 6:30pm Pō keemu

Rāmere 15 Mahuru

4 - 5:30pm Pō kanikani hei whakanui i Te Wiki o te Reo

Monday 11 September

3:30 - 4:30pm Weave your own bookmark

Tuesday 12 September

3:30 - 4:30pm Make your own tī Rākau

Wednesday 13 September

10:30 - 11:30am Story-go-round

3:30 - 5pm Te reo feature film

Thursday 14 September

10:30 - 11:30am Story time

5 - 6:30pm Library got game

Friday 15 September

4 - 5:30pm Te Wiki o te Reo Māori disco

MORE IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO OBSERVE Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

Learn how to order your co ee in Māori.

The English word co ee is kawhe in Māori, pronounced ‘cah-feh’.

To order a kawhe, you could say ‘I’ll have a … please’ or ‘he [co ee name, size] koa’.

COFFEE NAMES INCLUDE:

 Mōwai – at white.

 Rāte – latte.

 Pango poto – short black.

 Pango roa – long black.

 Kutē – espresso.

SIZES:

 Paku/iti – small.

 Waenga – medium.

 Nui – large.

 Nui rawa – extra-large.

Get involved and grow stronger connections with Māori communities.

Getting involved and learning about your Māori community can make us all stronger. The whakataukī (Māori proverb),

below, encapsulates the notion that while working in isolation might result in survival, working together can take people beyond survival and onto prosperity.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.

With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.

Create and share your pepeha.

A pepeha is a way of introducing yourself in Māori.

It describes your identity and heritage by telling the story of the places and people you’re connected to. Here’s an example:

Kia ora tatāu

Greetings all.

Ko remutaka te maunga Remutaka is the mountain.

Ko kairangi te awa Hutt is the river.

Nō whakatiki ahau am from Upper Hutt.

Ko Smith tōku whānau Smith is my family.

Ko Flo tōku ingoa

My name is Flo.

REAP WAIRARAPA

REAP Wairarapa supports life-long learning in the community and at the heart of their courses is te reo Māori in action. Not just limited to language classes, the REAP team o ers an array of interesting courses, classes and events including the very popular Raranga Harakeke ( ax weaving) and Toi Whatu (Whatu is the main technique used to weave kākahu cloaks).

These courses cover not only the basics of weaving, but the Tikanga (protocols) around harvesting. A popular course is Te Ataarangi - where cusinaire rods are used to help cement language development. REAP Wairarapa has been working with the community to o er a popular course on Mau Rākau, which is an ancient Māori martial art. This help students develop their understanding of Te Reo Māori me ōna tikanga, and gain tness and wellbeing.

For more advanced speakers, Te reo ō hākui is a programme that teaches the process and ability to karanga.

Whakapiki Reo is an advanced reo programme taught through waiata, haka, poi, and mōteatea. And for our music fans, ‘Uke it up Waiata’ teaches basic te reo and pronunciation through waiata and ukulele. In Pahiatua, there is a weekly community Waiata Māori

Sing waiata.

Collections of waiata and haka can be found at www. tereomaori.tki.org.nz, along with mp3 recordings, a songbook with lyrics, and song sheets. Try them in the tearoom in your o ce or at your school.

Read Māori myths and legends.

Collections of well-known stories - such as Kupe’s travels around Aotearoa and how Māui bought re to the world - based on Māori oral traditions have been handed down through the generations. School children and teachers could promote storytelling and share stories with students, parents, families, and whānau.

Watch Māori television.

Watching a Māori children’s show with your children and encouraging them to repeat the words and phrases can be a great way to help your children explore the Māori culture.

class to stretch the vocal chords and learn the meaning behind waiata, whilst increasing ability to correctly pronounce te reo Māori.

REAP Wairarapa has classes and events happening throughout the year. To learn more head over to www.reapwairarapa.nz or pop into 340 Queen Street, Masterton.

E whakahīhī ana mātou Te Kaunihera ā-rohe o Wairarapa me Te Whare Pukapuka o Wairarapa hei tautoko i te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - Masterton District Council and Library is proud to support Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

Kia ora! Please join us at the library throughout the week for our community celebrations.

Rāhina 11 Mahuru

3:30 - 4:30pm Raranga he tohuwāhi

Rātū 12 Mahuru

3:30 - 4:30pm Hangaia he tī rākau

Rāapa 13 Mahuru

10:30 - 11:30am Wā p ānui pukapuka

3:30 - 5pm Kiriata reo Māori

Rāpare 14 Mahuru

10:30 - 11:30am Wā p ānui pukapuka puanga

5 - 6:30pm Pō keemu

Rāmere 15 Mahuru

4 - 5:30pm Pō kanikani hei whakanui i Te Wiki o te Reo

Monday 11 September

3:30 - 4:30pm Weave your own bookmark

Tuesday 12 September

3:30 - 4:30pm Make your own tī Rākau

Wednesday 13 September

10:30 - 11:30am Story-go-round

3:30 - 5pm Te reo feature film

Thursday 14 September

10:30 - 11:30am Story time

5 - 6:30pm Library got game

Friday 15 September

4 - 5:30pm Te Wiki o te Reo Māori disco

MORE IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO OBSERVE Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

Learn how to order your co ee in Māori.

The English word co ee is kawhe in Māori, pronounced ‘cah-feh’.

To order a kawhe, you could say ‘I’ll have a … please’ or ‘he [co ee name, size] koa’.

COFFEE NAMES INCLUDE:

 Mōwai – at white.

 Rāte – latte.

 Pango poto – short black.

 Pango roa – long black.

 Kutē – espresso.

SIZES:

 Paku/iti – small.

 Waenga – medium.

 Nui – large.

 Nui rawa – extra-large.

Get involved and grow stronger connections with Māori communities.

Getting involved and learning about your Māori community can make us all stronger. The whakataukī (Māori proverb),

below, encapsulates the notion that while working in isolation might result in survival, working together can take people beyond survival and onto prosperity.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.

With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.

Create and share your pepeha.

A pepeha is a way of introducing yourself in Māori.

It describes your identity and heritage by telling the story of the places and people you’re connected to. Here’s an example:

Kia ora tatāu

Greetings all.

Ko remutaka te maunga Remutaka is the mountain.

Ko kairangi te awa Hutt is the river.

Nō whakatiki ahau am from Upper Hutt.

Ko Smith tōku whānau Smith is my family.

Ko Flo tōku ingoa

My name is Flo.

REAP WAIRARAPA

REAP Wairarapa supports life-long learning in the community and at the heart of their courses is te reo Māori in action. Not just limited to language classes, the REAP team o ers an array of interesting courses, classes and events including the very popular Raranga Harakeke ( ax weaving) and Toi Whatu (Whatu is the main technique used to weave kākahu cloaks).

These courses cover not only the basics of weaving, but the Tikanga (protocols) around harvesting. A popular course is Te Ataarangi - where cusinaire rods are used to help cement language development. REAP Wairarapa has been working with the community to o er a popular course on Mau Rākau, which is an ancient Māori martial art. This help students develop their understanding of Te Reo Māori me ōna tikanga, and gain tness and wellbeing.

For more advanced speakers, Te reo ō hākui is a programme that teaches the process and ability to karanga.

Whakapiki Reo is an advanced reo programme taught through waiata, haka, poi, and mōteatea. And for our music fans, ‘Uke it up Waiata’ teaches basic te reo and pronunciation through waiata and ukulele. In Pahiatua, there is a weekly community Waiata Māori

Sing waiata.

Collections of waiata and haka can be found at www. tereomaori.tki.org.nz, along with mp3 recordings, a songbook with lyrics, and song sheets. Try them in the tearoom in your o ce or at your school.

Read Māori myths and legends.

Collections of well-known stories - such as Kupe’s travels around Aotearoa and how Māui bought re to the world - based on Māori oral traditions have been handed down through the generations. School children and teachers could promote storytelling and share stories with students, parents, families, and whānau.

Watch Māori television.

Watching a Māori children’s show with your children and encouraging them to repeat the words and phrases can be a great way to help your children explore the Māori culture.

class to stretch the vocal chords and learn the meaning behind waiata, whilst increasing ability to correctly pronounce te reo Māori.

REAP Wairarapa has classes and events happening throughout the year. To learn more head over to www.reapwairarapa.nz or pop into 340 Queen Street, Masterton.

Te Wiki o te Reo MAori

MĀORI LANGUAGE WEEK

11-17 SEP 2023

Immerse yourself in te reo Māori

As well as te reo Māori options with REAP Wairarapa, there are other places to go – for all ages and stages on your te reo Māori journey – to immerse yourself in Māori language and culture. Here are a few options.

Puanga Te Reo Pre-school Programme

Masterton library encourages pre-schoolers to bring their parents or caregivers for te reo Māori storytime. Storytime is delivered in te reo Māori, is open to all, and is free.

Introduce your child to te reo Māori with stories, singing and crafts on Thursdays during term time between 10:30am11:30am.

Schools

Pre-schools, primary schools, and colleges across the district will celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori.

Every day, sta and students at Wairarapa College (Te Kāireti o Wairarapa), for example, are supported and encouraged to speak and celebrate te reo Māori.

During Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, the College will have daily activities in its quad or its performing arts centre including a scavenger hunt, kōrero cards, waiata, the Moana

and Coco movies in te reo Māori, and participation in the Māori Language Moment at noon on 14 Hepetema.

UCOL Te Pūkenga Wairarapa in Masterton

UCOL Te Pūkenga o ers Te Reo Māori Intermediate between 9 October and 11 December 2023. Ten weeks, part-time. Fees-free applies. This course is designed for people with some experience in te reo Māori who are looking to take the next step. You will learn about Māori customs and protocols, both traditional and contemporary while developing basic conversational te reo Māori skills.

TAUTOKO ANA MĀTOU O MĀKOURA TE WIKI O TE REO MĀORI

During Māori Language Week, we honour the essence of the Māori language and its profound connection to the land and its people. Te Reo, with its rich vocabulary and history, forms a crucial part of Aotearoa's cultural identity.

Beyond the language and culture, Māori Language Week promotes understanding, respect, and inclusivity. We embrace the spirit of Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga, fostering a sense of togetherness and harmony.