Everyone can strengthen te reo
Te Wiki o te Reo Ma¯ori, celebrated every year since 1975, commemorates the presentation of the 1972 Ma¯ori language petition to Parliament.
Mahuru Ma¯ori is an initiative begun in 2017 to promote the use of te reo Ma¯ori throughout the month of September.
Ma¯ori language week is an opportunity for concentrated celebration, promotion and encouragement. And every minute of every hour of every day is a Ma¯ori language minute when we can choose to use te reo; every time we do, even just a ‘kia ora!’ contributes to revitalisation.
Te Wiki o te reo Ma¯ori is becoming a major fixture on the national calendar, providing an opportunity for concentrated promotion, raising awareness and an opportunity for expert and advanced speakers to encourage others.
What can you do? Ma¯ ta¯tou katoa te reo Ma¯ori e akarauora: Everyone can contribute to te reo Ma¯ori revitalisation. Whakatauhia te reo Ma¯ori kit e wa¯hi mahi me te hapori: Make te reo welcome at work and in the community. Whakahau I, e¯tahi atu kit e ko¯rero, kit e ako hoki I te reo Ma¯ori; whakauruamai hoki te reo Ma¯ori ki to¯u ao: Encourage others to use and learn te reo Ma¯ori; welcome Ma¯ori language into your life. Kia tika tonu te whakahua I te kupu Ma¯ori I nga¯ wa¯ e ko¯rero Pa¯keha¯ ana: Pronounce Ma¯ori words correctly when speaking.
Ahakoa it, akona, ko¯rerohia: Learn a little, use a little. Kia nui ake te ako ka ko¯rero ai: Learn more, and use what you know. Wha¯ia te ara poutama o te reo ka tohatoha ai: Keep improving your language, and share what you know.
Every New Zealander can help strengthen te reo Ma¯ori, a taonga of Ma¯ori, guaranteed under the Treaty of Waitangi, but the Ma¯ori Language Act 2016 makes clear it is for every New Zealander and a valued part of New Zealanders’ our national identity.