Te Reo – sweating the small stuff (Māori language Week 11 Sept)
This Te Wiki o te Reo Māori / Māori Language Week, Ara is combining sports and Māori language to bring Te Reo out of the
classroom and out of official ceremonies and into everyday settings like… the gym.
Between 11 – 15 September, students can experience Te Reo in unconventional settings, with introductory language
sessions happening in the context of a fitness circuit session, a community quiz with University of Canterbury, a movie
night, performing arts workshops and a game of touch rugby. Events are happening at the Christchurch City, Timaru and
Woolston campuses.
“We will be learning language while getting a sweat on,” Ara Manager of Te Puna Wanaka Heperi Harris says. “You don’t
need any background to participate – either in Māori language or in sports!”
The focus this national Māori Language Week is ‘kia ora te reo” bringing life and vitality to the language in different
contexts. “A lot of people will have only heard Māori at the big pōwhiri events, at the ceremonies, so we want to bring
it into an everyday setting for them to normalise the language and maybe plant that seed that Te Reo is accessible and
achievable for everyone.”
Te Puna Wānaka offers a range of Māori and Pasifika language and cultural programmes from short courses to Bachelor of
Language degrees. The institute’s proud tradition of Māori and Pasifika engagement includes a formal relationship with
local iwi Ngāi Tahu and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
Key words for physical activity
Omaoma/ Run
Tū/ Stand, stop
Tū hītengitengi/ Standing squat
Whātoro Waewae/ lunge
Pana tū/ Burpee
Pana ake / Push-up
Greetings
Informal
Kia ora – Hello/To wish good health Mōrena – Good morning
Formal
Tēnā koe – Greeting (One person) Tēnā kōrua – Greetings (Two people)
Tēnā koutou – Greetings (3 or more people)Inquiring Question
Kei te pēhea koe? / How are you?
Responses
Kei te pai ahau / I’m good
Ka nui te ora / I’m great
Kua pau te hau/ I’m exhasted
Me koe? / And you?
Farewells
Haere rā / Goodbye (to someone leaving)
E noho rā / Goodbye (to someone staying)
Ka kite anō / See you again
Hei konā / See you later
Colloquial idioms (kīwaha)
Karawhiua mai! / Bring it on!
E kī, e kī! / you don’t say! Is that right!
Me he tē! / Like a Boss!
ENDS