9 July 2008

Media Release

Competition heats up for Maori Language Week awards  

“Every year the competition for Maori Language Week awards starts earlier and earlier. And this year is no different. Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (the Maori Language Commission) is already fielding calls from groups asking for 2008’s criteria”, says Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori.

Today Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori have just released the awards criteria and entry form after streamlining this year’s events. There are now nine categories; community, schools, tertiary institutions, local body and local body agencies, business, central government, television, radio and print. In addition there is a new category entitled the First Time Entrant award, and each category will be eligible to win the Supreme award.

This year marks the fifth year of the Maori Language Week awards and is hosted by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori with partners Te Puni Kokiri, Human Rights Commission, Families Commission and Te Kohanga Reo National Trust to celebrate and recognise innovative efforts to promote te reo Maori, an official language of Aotearoa.

“It is exciting to learn about the projects undertaken every year around the country during Maori Language Week. Past entries have included; macronising street names in Tokoroa and Putaruru (South Waikato District Council; Raukawa Trust Board), learning the Maori names and traditional medicinal uses of native plants in the staff garden (Diagnostic Medlab, Auckland), reo Maori signage for public buildings, and reo Maori plaques for local reserves and wahi tapu.

Maori Language Week runs from 21 – 27 July 2008, and the theme for 2008 is ‘Te Reo i te Kainga – Maori Language in the Home’. “The Maori Language Week awards are all about giving it a go! Your participation helps to promote te reo Maori as a living everyday language”, says Huhana Rokx.

Winners will be announced at the Maori Language Week awards on Friday, 12th September 2008. The entry form and criteria are now available off the www.koreromaori.co.nz  website or by contacting Catherine on catherine@tetaurawhiri.govt.nz  or 04 471 6730.

Ends

Contact:
Nicky Cockburn Birch
021 475 782
nicky@tetaurawhiri.govt.nz