Te reo celebrated in Maori Language Week

Hastings District councillor Henare O'Keefe is excited about Maori Language Week and believes it is an important time for everyone to acknowledge Te Reo. Photo/File

Te reo is being celebrated this week as different organisations, businesses and schools recognise Maori Language Week.

Hastings District councillor Henare O'Keefe said the week was a chance for people to embrace and enjoy Te Reo in their everyday routine.

"It is important and I think pronunciation is a big thing. On the weekend I was watching Australia against the Springboks and the commentators couldn't pronounce some of the players' names right. Learning and understanding the different dialects is important."

Mr O'Keefe said often at citizenship ceremonies he would have to learn 15 to 16 dialects and he would make sure he got it right so he didn't embarrass anyone coming up.

"I take the time to learn it and I think that's what Te Reo means to me, pronunciation is key."

Maori Language Week is about raising awareness that te reo is still spoken and sung by many hundreds of thousands of people across the country.

According to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori - the Māori Language Commission 130,000 people have conversational fluency, 300,000 are learning at school and 10,000 are learning in tertiary education.

The theme for this year is Kia ora te reo Māori which means, "Let the Māori Language live".

This Thursday, September 14, marks the day in 1972 that the Māori Language Petition was delivered to Parliament. The petition, initiated by activist group Nga Tamatoa, contained more than 30,000 signatures, and paved the way for Māori language to be taught in schools.

Mr O'Keefe said te reo gave New Zealand its point of difference and stood people in good stead.

"I think there is a movement with the generation coming through and more people have a hunger and a passion to become more professional at it. It thrills me to know people are making the effort."

The Central Hawke's Bay District Libraries is one of the organisations celebrating the week with poi making, Te Reo Rhyme Time, basic te reo lessons and Raranga: Haraheke Putiputi (flax flowers), at both the Waipawa and Waipukurau Library.

The week is being launched in Wellington today with a parade through the centre of town led by the Maori Language Commission. Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand is celebrating Te Reo this week with parades and walks at their 11 teaching bases throughout the country including Hastings.

For more information about the week visit: www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/events-and-promotions/maori-language-week.