Rapa, 21 Hui-tanguru 2007

Media Statement
For Immediate Release

Kia ora - it's International Mother Language Day!

"Mori is the indigenous or mother language of Aotearoa and we want to encourage people to 'Krero Mori' or speak Mori as much as they can today."

That's according to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mori Mori Language Commissioner Erima Henare.

"Mori language is an important part of our national identity and using it in everyday contexts: on the phone, at work, at school with friends and whnau will help it become a normal means of communication," says Mr Henare.

Mother language day is an annual event held to promote the language of the land and in Aotearoa the Mori Language Commission in partnership with the National Commission for UNESCO to encourage whnau to use the Mori words they know.

"We have been working with Te Taura Whiri to encourage the retention of the Mori language as a living and dynamic language of the new millennium. This year we are encouraging the expression of identity through language and are joining the international family of mother languages to promote unity among people and preserve diversity of languages. At the same time we are celebrating the uniqueness of our indigenous language," says UNESCO spokesperson Susan Isaacs.

"For people who want to have a go at speaking Mori, or those that need help to unlock some of the latent language they may have learnt we've developed a range of resources to get them started at www.koreromaori.co.nz ," says Mr Henare.

Phrases to try

Good morning Ata mrie
How are you? Kei te phea koe?
I'm good thanks Kei te pai ahau
Where are you going? Kei te haere koe ki hea?
I'm off to work/school Kei te haere au ki te mahi/kura
Have a good day Kia pai t r
Thank you Ng mihi ki a koe
Goodbye Hei konei r

ENDS

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