Try a little te reo today
Maori Language Week began this week, so now is the perfect time to begin learning a few phrases. Arohatia te Reo is the theme for Maori Language Week, which means: To cherish the language.
New Zealanders are encouraged to find a way to express how you can use, honour, speak and show your love for the language of Aotearoa.
There are many things that you can do to celebrate te reo Maori. Try these suggestions all year round but Maori Language Week is a great time to start.
Improve your pronunciation of Maori words and place names.
Say kia ora when greeting people – your family, friends etc.
Put up a welcome sign at your workplace, school etc – Nau mai, haere mai.
Find out the Maori names for items and use them.
Get some Maori language posters and display them in your home during Maori Language Week.
Watch Maori Television or Te Karere (the Maori news on TVNZ) with your family each evening.
Create supportive Maori language spaces. Your workplace or school could develop ideas to support te reo Maori. Support staff/students/ colleagues with resources on pronunciation, conversation etc.
Schedule some Maori language time. Perhaps you could allocate time for a Maori language class. Maori language is used all the time – in place names, personal names etc, so basic Maori language skills are always useful.
Bilingual signs. Put up bilingual signs – a visible way of showing that te reo is valued at your workplace or school.