TV star a boost for Language Week
If you asked for a coffee in Ma¯ ori (kawhe) you were given one free at The Catching Pen on Tuesday.
It was all part of the promotion of Ma¯ ori
Language Week in Dannevirke, which started with a po¯ whiri and karakia at Makirikiri Marae and moved to an open morning of activities and entertainment at The
Hub.
Ma¯ ori Television broadcaster Te Hamua Nikora was the drawcard at The Catching Pen Cafe´ on Tuesday. He is best known for Homai Te Paki Paki and Sidewalk Kareoke.
Based at Massey University in the Puhoro Stem Academy, Te Hamua goes to secondary schools promoting learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics to senior Ma¯ ori students.
He says getting young people involved in te reo and having it more widely accepted is a step in getting young Ma¯ ori students involved in the right career path. The programme is privately funded.
Te Hamua thanked Te Kura Kaupapa Ma¯ ori o¯ Tamaki students and staff for the warm welcome and complimented the Paewai-Mullins wha¯ nau on its TV series Shear Bro.
Ma¯ ori Language Week concluded with a Kapahaka Festival on Friday.