Happy Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week)! Māori Language Week is a wonderful opportunity for all kiwis to be immersed in the rich culture and language of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) was established in 1975 to uplift and celebrate the Māori language. However, we believe that embracing Te Reo should be a year-round commitment, not just limited to one week. Te Reo Māori is one of Aotearoa's official languages, and it's essential that we honor this heritage beyond Waitangi Day barbecues.
How you can get involved
For all our New Zealand team members, and curious Aussies, we have gathered some fantastic resources and ideas to help you make the most of the week and continue your Te Reo journey beyond it.
Resources
- Māori Dictionary App: Access the Māori Dictionary app (Te Aka Māori Dictionary) for convenient and free modern Māori translations on your Apple or Android device or explore it online via the web.
- KUPU APP: Navigate the AI era confidently by downloading the Kupu app, powered by Spark and the Te Aka Māori Dictionary, which identifies objects using your phone camera and provides their Māori translation—explore it here.
- Tuhi Stationary: Enhance your stationery experience with Tuhi Stationary, which not only offers diaries, calendars, and wall planners but also provides free digital resources for learning Te Reo Māori, all while supporting a Māori business—check it out here.
- Toro Mai: Explore Toro Mai, an excellent, interactive, and free online resource developed by Stacey and Scotty Morrison in collaboration with Massey University, offering various tools and methods for learning Te Reo and Tikanga Māori with ease—get started here.
- Te Taurawhiti—Māori Language Commission: Besides the Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori website, The Māori Language Commission expands on helpful resources
- Teams Backgrounds and Posters: You can find assets here.
Ideas for participation
Here are some ideas to embrace Te Reo Māori during this special week and beyond:
- Whakarongo (Listen): Watch movies in Te Reo Māori, listen to Te Reo music, and explore Te Reo podcasts and radio stations.
- Korero (Speak): Host a Te Reo Māori-only event, use Te Reo greetings daily, learn and use expressions, or introduce yourself using #MyMihi.
- Ako (Learn): Take online Te Reo lessons, practice pronunciation, and learn Māori words, phrases, and place names.
- Takaro (Play): Engage in Te Reo Māori quizzes, games, and activities with friends and family.
- Panui (Read): Read Te Reo Māori books, articles, and comics or explore Māori legends and history.
- Waiata (Sing): Sing along to Te Reo Māori songs, anthems, and waiata, and explore the world of Māori music.
Te Reo in letters and emails
Incorporate Te Reo Māori into your communications:
- Greetings: Begin your emails with "Kia ora" or "Ata mārie" (Good morning).
- Sign-off: Use phrases like "Ngā mihi" (Kind regards) or "Mā te wā" (Bye for now) to conclude your messages.
- Email Content: Include Te Reo phrases and expressions in your emails to celebrate the language.
Social media engagement:
Throughout the week, we will share social media posts to inspire and educate. Stay tuned for fun and informative content to share with your friends and followers. Let's spread the Te Reo Māori love across the digital landscape.
Let's make Te Wiki o te Reo Māori a memorable and impactful experience. Together, we can honor the language and culture that make Aotearoa so unique.
Kia kaha te reo Māori whānau! (Stay strong, Te Reo Māori family!)
Noho ora mai (Take care)
