Supreme Award for Replete

A Taupo cafe’s enthusiasm for Maori Language Week has seem them win the Taupo District Cafe Wero Challenge supreme award.

This is the second year Taupo District Council (TDC) held the challenge. Replete Cafe just missed out on the top spot last year but they were stoked to claim it this time around, winning the Te Tohu nui - Supreme Award.

‘‘The cafe essentially got involved with promoting the language,’’ Dominic Bowden, strategic relationships manager for TDC, said.

‘‘It’s really heartening to see businesses in Taupo getting behind Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori.’’

Maori Language Week ran from Monday July 04-10.

During that week, Replete embraced the challenge by having a sign in Te Reo Maori outside the cafe, presenting Maori myths and legends inside the cafe, playing Maori music throughout the week. and also having a Maori inspired signature dish.

Replete owner, Kathy Johnston, said the entire Replete team wanted to take on the challenge.

‘‘We are very family based and we liked to work together on these things,’’ she said.

Johnston added that Maori Language Week is a good way for the community to get in touch with the Maori culture.

‘‘It makes you realise how important it actually is because it is our culture.’’