NZ Reo, NZ Pride!
Top Auckland radio station Mai FM 88.6 is celebrating Maori Language Week in style. The Ngati Whatua-owned broadcaster
will promote the theme - NZ Reo, NZ Pride - at the AUT Open Day tomorrow (30/7) with a free concert headlined by Nessian
Mystik.
Mai FM announcers will also encourage listeners and callers to use the Maori language in everyday life while the station
is pumping up its popular 'Kool To Korero' campaign - a collection of 15-second Maori language audio vignettes each
explaining a Maori word, phrase or concept in an up-beat, humorous and accessible way.
Maori Language Week began in 1975 and this year is being co-ordinated by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Màori - the Maori
Language Commission, Te Puni Kokiri - the Ministry of Maori Development, and Te Kahui Tika Tangata - the Human Rights
Commission.
Mai FM 88.6 manager Graham Pryor says this year's concept - NZ Reo, NZ Pride - provides the station with an opportunity
to promote the Maori language to a mainstream audience.
Domestic and international interest in Maori language and culture has grown over the past five years, and there is now
more support for the language from the wider New Zealand public.
"Recent research on the health of the Maori language shows it appears to be stabilizing," Mr Pryor says. "During Maori
Language Week Mai FM wants to encourage the wider domains of usage such as at work, out shopping and while playing
sports."