21 July 2008

Media Release

 

Celebrating the first day of Maori Language Week

Today Wellingtonians will be greeted with fresh fruit and ‘kia ora’ to celebrate the first day of Maori Language Week. Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (the Maori Language Commission) and partners Te Puni Kokiri, Human Rights Commission, Families Commission and Te Kohanga Reo National Trust will be welcoming commuters at the railway station with a new booklet Te Reo i te Kainga - Maori Language in the Home, which offers useful vocabulary, tips, and information.

Students and staff of Victoria University will also greet Wellington workers at Manners Mall / Cuba Mall providing fresh fruit, singing waiata and distributing the booklet. The Hon Parekura Horomia, Minister of Maori Affairs will be at both venues to join the celebrations.

Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori says “The theme for this year is ‘Te Reo i te Kainga – Maori Language in the Home’. The use of te reo Maori in our homes has increased overall, particularly between adults and children. This year’s theme is to support, encourage and inspire everyone to continue to have Maori a language of our homes”.

Whanau, organisations, schools, local and central government agencies throughout Aotearoa will be celebrating and promoting te reo Maori. Huhana Rokx says, “I am overwhelmed by the effort people put into promoting te reo Maori during Maori Language Week. I encourage us all to implement longer term te reo Maori initiatives like bi-lingual signage or saying kia ora on the phone. Everything we do makes a difference and contributes to having te reo Maori a living language of our country”.

To assist your Maori Language Week celebrations view the range of resources available online. Also for further ideas and information including the Maori Language Week Awards, 12 September, Duxton Hotel, Wellington visit www.koreromaori.co.nz  now.


Ends

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