15 July 2008
Media Release
Air NZ joins in to promote Maori Language
Media Release
Today Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori, (the Maori Language Commission) signs an agreement with Air New Zealand.
Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori says “this is a great opportunity for both our organisations to demonstrate our commitment to promoting and maintaining the Maori language, in Aotearoa and internationally”.
Through this agreement it is envisaged that the Maori language will be used and promoted in Air NZ in-flight, airport and corporate environments. Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori and Air NZ are also focused on fostering positive attitudes toward the Maori language and promoting Air New Zealand’s cultural initiatives.
Huhana Rokx says, “We will be working together to identify and implement Maori language-based initiatives and encouraging an understanding amongst individuals and businesses that the Maori language can contribute in successful ways to the commercial imperatives of an organisation. Aotearoa takes pride in the aspects of this country that makes it unique: the Maori language and culture are two important points of difference we as a country can contribute to the rest of the world”.
“We will be celebrating Maori Language Week with Air NZ on Friday, 25 July in Auckland with a haka competition judged by Temuera Morrison, followed by a hangi for all staff”, says Huhana Rokx.
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori’s partners for Maori Language Week include Te Puni Kokiri, Human Rights Commission, Families Commission and Te Kohanga Reo National Trust.
Contact:
Nicky Cockburn Birch
021 475 782
nicky@tetaurawhiri.govt.nz