12 September 2006
 

Calibre of entries to 2006 Maori Language week awards a tribute to all New Zealanders

A record number of entries to the 2006 Maori Language Week Awards has lifted language innovations to new and exciting heights, and according to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori that's an achievement all New Zealanders can be proud of.
 
Whether it was international broadcasts or global use of te reo Maori; partnerships between local authorities and Maori groups to change street names; promotions and activities held in schools, workplaces and libraries – this year's event attracted over 50 entries from a diverse range of organisations spread the length and breadth of the country - and including state sector and local government agencies, schools, sports teams, businesses, health providers, non-government and community groups.
 
The Maori Language Week Awards recognise and celebrate creative efforts to promote te reo Maori.  From the entries, 36 made it through as finalists and will vie for awards in 14 categories that span: print, radio, television, public libraries, schools, tertiary institutions, government, local community, sport art and business.
 
Three new award categories were offered in 2006 to celebrate Maori language promotion in sport and the arts.  An inaugural award was also introduced to highlight first-time entrants.  Amongst all finalists, one entry will be judged and announced as the overall supreme winner.
 
Award recipients will be announced to a capacity crowd at the 2006 Maori Language Week Awards, this Thursday evening at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington.   A new feature of the Awards evening will be its total bilingual format with simultaneous Maori and English translations occurring throughout the night.  
 
This is the third year the Awards have been offered and Mr Piripi said the volume and calibre of entries was a tribute to the inventiveness of communities committed to using and enjoying the language and leadership in particular sectors like health and education.
 
"An extremely positive sign has been the growing involvement and participation of non-Maori organisations in the Awards.  We are ecstatic that more New Zealanders are now confident to stand up publicly and be acknowledged for their support of a rich, adaptable language that's unique only to this country."    
 
"We congratulate all our finalists whose efforts have definitely set the bar higher for next year's Awards which will celebrate Maori language promotion and tourism."
 
The Awards are a signature event organised by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori.  Sponsors and supporters include Sport and Recreation New Zealand, Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Education, Child, Youth & Family; National Library, Toi Iho, Maori Television; Cinco Cine Film Productions & Mai FM; JR Design & Lithographic Services; Reed Publishing, Te Puni Kokiri and Te Ohu Kaimoana.
 
The Maori Language Awards will be held 6.00pm, Thursday 14 September 2006, at the Westpac Stadium Trust, Wellington. 

 
Media Note: A list of award finalists & sponsors follows.
 
For more information contact: Lana Simmons-Donaldson, Communications Manager, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori on 04 416 724 or 0274 574 551

Maori Language Week Awards 2006 Finalists & Sponsors list

Local Body Award sponsored by Human Rights Commission
Finalists
  • South Waikato District Council
  • Whakatane District Council
  • Auckland District Health Board
 
Public Library Award sponsored by National Library
Finalists
  • South Waikato District Libraries
  • Manukau Libraries
  • ELGAR - Libraries for a Greater Auckland Region
 
Central Government Award sponsored by Te Puni Kokiri
Finalists
  • Health Research Council of New Zealand
  • Tourism New Zealand
  • Ministry of Education
  • New Zealand Qualifications Authority
 
Media - Print Award sponsored by JR design & Lithographic services
Finalists
  • Gisborne Herald
  • Southland Times
  • Waikato Times
  • Fairfax NZ newspaper in Education
 
Media - Television Award sponsored by Maori Television
Finalists
  • Good Morning TVNZ
  • TV3
  • Visionary Film - Television (Coast)
 
Media - Radio Award sponsored by Korero Maori - Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori
Finalists
  • Maori Media Network
  • Fairfax Media
  • Moana Communications
 
Community Award sponsored by Child, Youth & Family
Finalists
  • Raukawa Trust Board
  • Te Hauora Runanga o Wairarapa
  • Ngaiterangi Iwi Inc Society
 
Sport Award sponsored by SPARC - Ihi Aotearoa
Finalists
  • Netball NZ, Poitarawhiti Aotearoa
  • NZ Rogaine Association & Wairewa Runanga (joint entry)
 
Art Award sponsored by Toi Iho
Finalist
City Gallery - Wellington
 
Business Award sponsored by Reed Publishing
Finalists
  • Diagnostic Medlab
  • Desert Spring Ministries Trust Inc
  • Borders Bookshop
 
School Award sponsored by Ministry of Education
Finalists
  • Epsom Girls Grammar School
  • Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Rotoiti
  • Rangitoto College
  • Whangaparaoa College
 
Tertiary Institution Award sponsored by Korero Maori - Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori
Finalists
  • Manukau Institute of Technology
  • University of Canterbury
  • Waikato Institute of Technology
 
Inaugural Award sponsored by Cinco Cine Film Productions & Mai FM
Finalists to be announced on the night
 
Supreme Award sponsored by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori
Finalists to be announced on the night