Maori Language Week 2011

Ideas for organisations

There are many things that organisations, work places and community groups can do to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Maori.  These suggestions can be done all year round, and Maori Language Week is a great time to start.  Organisations can:

• Develop a Maori Language Plan for the workplace.
• Go public! Place radio, television or print advertisements for products, services and/or staff in Maori.  
• Ensure your organisation has access to Maori language dictionaries and vocabulary that pertains to their operations.  
• Produce a Maori language edition of your newsletter or create a regular column using Maori language.  
• Adopt a Maori name for your business
• Download macrons onto your keyboard (available on www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz)
• Arrange for Maori signs in your office.  
• Encourage staff members to learn Maori, and reward those who do.  
• Nominate a person in your organisation to organise Maori language activities.  
• Arrange for reception staff to learn Maori phrases so they can greet clients in Maori.  
• Encourage staff to use 'kia ora' when answering the phone and greeting customers.
• Put together a bi-lingual greeting and sign off for all correspondence
• Use Maori place names on letters and envelopes
• Use Maori language in your marketing material.  
• Invite local Maori language community members into the workplace e.g. local Maori elders, schools or pre-schools to share in an activity or to promote a product or project.
• Set up a Maori language display during Maori Language Week using vocabulary and phrases pertaining to your workplace.
• Promote Maori language use among other groups or organisations in your sector.  

• Enter or sponsor the Maori Language Awards.