Celebrating the first day of Māori Language Week

21 July 2008

Media Release

Celebrating the first day of Māori Language Week

Today Wellingtonians will be greeted with fresh fruit and ‘kia ora’ to celebrate the first day of Māori Language Week. Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission) and partners Te Puni Kōkiri, Human Rights Commission, Families Commission and Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust will be welcoming commuters at the railway station with a new booklet Te Reo i te Kāinga - Māori Language in the Home, which offers useful vocabulary, tips, and information.

Students and staff of Victoria University will also greet Wellington workers at Manners Mall / Cuba Mall providing fresh fruit, singing waiata and distributing the booklet. The Hon Parekura Horomia, Minister of Māori Affairs will be at both venues to join the celebrations.

Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori says “The theme for this year is ‘Te Reo i te Kāinga – Māori Language in the Home’. The use of te reo Māori in our homes has increased overall, particularly between adults and children. This year’s theme is to support, encourage and inspire everyone to continue to have Maori a language of our homes”.

Whānau, organisations, schools, local and central government agencies throughout Aotearoa will be celebrating and promoting te reo Māori. Huhana Rokx says, “I am overwhelmed by the effort people put into promoting te reo Māori during Māori Language Week. I encourage us all to implement longer term te reo Māori initiatives like bi-lingual signage or saying kia ora on the phone. Everything we do makes a difference and contributes to having te reo Māori a living language of our country”.

To assist your Māori Language Week celebrations view the range of resources available online. Also for further ideas and information including the Māori Language Week Awards, 12 September, Duxton Hotel, Wellington visit www.koreromaori.co.nz now.

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