MEDIA RELEASE

Environment Bay of Plenty staff say it’s cool to korero

For immediate release: Thursday July 19 2007

It’s cool to korero and write in te reo Maori.

That’s the message Environment of Plenty staff members are giving as they gear up for Maori language week. Maori Language Week – Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori begins on July 23.

And they are already walking the talk.

Since the beginning of June, staff have been submitting short stories for a book to be translated into Maori. The book, "Paki Paki Mai", is a joint project between the Regional Council and Whakatane District Council. Environment Bay of Plenty staff have also been planning a host of activities encouraging Maori language use during the week-long celebration.

Environment Bay of Plenty chief executive Bill Bayfield says promoting Maori language among staff is one of the organisation’s goals.

“We realise that such language skills are extremely valuable when dealing with Maori and we also have a number of staff, both Maori and Pakeha who are keen to learn.

“We are also the only Regional Council in the country to have separate Maori constituencies. All of these reasons make it worthwhile for our organisation to celebrate Maori language week.”

Environment Bay of Plenty’s senior cultural adviser, Waaka Vercoe, is editing and translating the anthology. He says the exercise has discovered a wealth of talent, with staff and members of the wider community contributing.

“We asked people to submit stories about their childhood experiences and we received an amazing range of stories.”

“One author explained how as a seven year old she almost drowned when a yacht capsized while another wrote a moving account about giving birth.”

The book contains 20 short stories, nine of which were written by Environment Bay of Plenty staff. The only story submitted in Maori was by Mr Vercoe’s 10-year-old granddaughter Moerangi Vercoe. The book will be launched at Whakatane on July 25 and will be available in English and Maori. Moerangi, who is the youngest contributor, will speak at the launch in Maori along with the oldest contributor Pauline Butt, who will speak in English.

“We hope to print a book promoting Maori language each year where Environment Bay of Plenty or the Whakatane District Council will share hosting the event.”

Environment Bay of Plenty staff will also learn Maori songs, basic greetings and games in te reo as part of the week. A video link will enable Tauranga and Rotorua staff to participate in the morning language lessons which will be broadcast from Whakatane.

The event will culminate with a staff hangi on July 27.

ends

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