25 July 2003

Bledisloe Supporters Leave For Australia With Maori Language Anthems In Their Pockets

Te Puni Kokiri Chief Executive Leith Comer and Te Taura Whiri Chief Executive Haami Piripi farewelled Bledisloe Cup supporters leaving Wellington airport this afternoon and took the opportunity to hand out national anthem cards in Maori in support of upcoming Maori Language Week.

Mr Piripi said that it had become common practice now to sing our national anthem in both Maori and English at most national sports events such as All Black and Silver Fern games, university graduations and other events, and it was a move he was proud to see occur.

"The theme for Maori language week this year (28 July - 3 August) is 'NZ Reo, NZ Pride'. The week is aimed at encouraging New Zealanders to have a greater sense of pride in the Maori language, and its contribution to the unique New Zealand identity. Another aim of the week is to encourage the wider use of Maori language in a range of different settings."

Mr Piripi said that a survey conducted in Wellington earlier this week showed that approximately half of Wellingtonians surveyed said they knew all or some the words to the national anthem in Maori, and 90% of those surveyed said they knew all or some of the words in English.

"While that's only one in 2 who knew it in Maori, that's pretty good. It could easily have been one in 52 a couple of years ago. However, I do hope that in the years to come everyone who knows our national anthem will know the words in both languages," said Mr Piripi.

Mr Comer said that in support of Maori Language Week, several agencies and organisations were, for the duration of the week, playing the national anthem in Maori to callers put on hold. Supporters of this notably include Parliamentary Sevices. Others that will be playing the Maori version for the week are:

Early Childhood Development Unit, Transit New Zealand, Ministry of Economic Development, Housing New Zealand, Transit New Zealand, Department of Corrections, NZ Rugby Union, Ministry of Housing, Child Youth & Family, ALAC, Clemenger BBDO, Ministry of Culture & Heritage, Radio New Zealand

Mr Comer and Mr Piripi said that both Te Puni Kokiri and Te Taura Whiri had many events planned for next week that people could participate in, as did other Departments and organisations.