Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori

Strengthening our Language

Kia Kaha Te Reo Taiao

Strengthening our Environment

Ko tēnei te Wiki o Te Reo Māori! It is Māori Language Week!

Every day this week we will help you become familiar with te reo Māori words, phrases and stories.

Māori are the indigenous people of the land here in Aotearoa New Zealand. The meaning behind the word tangata whenua gives rights that come from and are nurtured by whakapapa (genealogy). Furthermore, they are grounded in tikanga Māori and are supported by two internationally recognised instruments he Wakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tīreni and te Tiriti o Waitangi. Whakapapa connects people, the environment and all living things.

Over time, the Māori language developed as a result of describing the environment – te taiao – and observing their surroundings like the mountains, the rivers, the ocean and the forest.

Te reo Māori, the Māori language, is considered a taonga (treasure) in Aotearoa and in recent times some have argued that it is under threat. But like te taiao, if we collectively take action the language will thrive.

Don’t be afraid to speak te reo Māori – Hoea to waka, e hoa! Go for it, mate!

E rere kau ana ngā mihi ki Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori rāua ko Te papa Atawhai mo ēnei rauemi