Central residents are celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) from September 14 -21, by getting involved and cherishing culture and language. 

The theme for the week is ‘Ake ake ake – A Forever Language’.

It represents resilience, adaptability and endurance and reflects the commitment New Zealanders have to embracing and learning te reo Māori long into the future.

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said when he was a kid, he didn’t know any te reo. 

“At high school, we read Witi Ihimaera’s “Pounamu Pounamu” collection, and I am pretty sure that, as a consequence, “pounamu” might have been the one te Reo word I knew. 

“Looking back, I find that really sad. How odd it must be to a kid today, or someone looking from overseas, to think that was the extent that our own unique national language was treasured back then.

“Today it’s a different story and I think that is something as a nation we should celebrate. 

“I know there will be some who don’t agree with that, and that’s ok, each to their own. For me, I still know very little te reo and am miles away from fluent, but I hear it every day in so many different settings I enjoy using what little I have, and I really enjoy trying to learn a little bit more every week."

Tim said Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is a great chance for people who want to take a wee step to do so; he suggested starting the habit of saying “kia ora” instead of hello.

Saturday, September 14, marked the fourth Māori Language Moment/Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori, a challenge to stop and celebrate te reo for a moment. 

Devised by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori - the Māori Language Commission, the aim is to get more than one million people taking part: because one million speakers are needed by 2040 to safeguard the language.

Central workplaces, schools and community groups are marking the week in ways that suit.

Ākonga (learners) in the Dunstan Kahui Ako combined kapa haka group (Ngā Kura o Haehaeata) have been rehearsing for an upcoming performance at Blossom Festival. 

Central Otago REAP tutor Emma McLean said they were celebrating by giving te reo Māori a go and building confidence by engaging in kōrero (talks/chats), having conversations.

In the Choices programme they practise karakia (prayers), explore whakataukī (proverbs) and are practising pepeha as part of sharing our life kete; who we are, where we are from and where we want to go.

Central Otago REAP is sharing information and resources to support learning using kōrero/conversation and ideas on social media accounts. 

Staff are having a morning tea on Friday where they will korero in te reo Māori only with tautoko (support) from more confident staff and using free online resources. 

Phrases to try out shopping this week. PHOTO: reomaori.co.nz 

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori released a waiata (song) celebrating the week; Kōrero Māori was written 40 years ago, in 1984, by the late Te Pikikōtuku 'Piki' Kereama (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto).

Watch a video of Kōrero Māori here.

There are lots of ways to support and participate in Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. For information, activities and resources, visit reomaori.co.nz  

The Central App has a section on common phrases, see Learn te reo.

What is your school or workplace doing to celebrate te reo Māori this week? Let our news team know, emailing your stories or photos to [email protected]