30 June 2008

Media Release

Shortland Street Actors Promote Maori Language Week

Well known Shortland Street actors – Benjamin Mitchell (TK Samuels) - Tainui, Scott Cotter (Wiremu ‘Mu’ Potae) – Tainui, Ngapuhi and Te Kohe Tuhaka (Kingi Te Wake)– Ngati Porou, Ngai Tuhoe, have all agreed to lend their support to the 2008 Maori Language Week campaign. .

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori Maori Language Commission is working closely with Benjamin, Scott and Te Kohe to continue to lift the profile of the Maori language and its value to Aotearoa. “Shortland Street frequently makes a conscious effort to incorporate Maori language and raise Maori issues in their storylines. It is fantastic to be working with three passionate and committed Maori language speakers who are followed by so many New Zealanders”, says Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori.

Benjamin Mitchell, who also championed Maori Language Week in 2006, is excited to be back on board with the 2008 campaign: “I have done a bit of travel and it’s made me realise how dedicated to their traditional cultures different countries are. They can all speak two or three different languages – and you come to New Zealand, which prides itself on being a multicultural country – and most of us can only speak one language. I think this country should be a bilingual nation and Maori an official language of Aotearoa”.

“My aim is to become fluent in Maori and share with the young ones,” says Scott Cotter.” In terms of the Maori language as a whole, I think it’d be good if all kiwis knew a little bit of Maori language. That would be awesome!”.

Te Kohe, a recent addition to Shortland Street cast, and a native speaker says: “Te reo is very unique to me as a Maori, and also it comes with so much history and responsibility. So it’s my job to use it, and teach it”.

Benjamin, Scott and Te Kohe are working with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori during Maori Language Week coming up (21 – 27 July 2008). This years theme is ‘Te Reo i te Kainga’ - Maori Language in the Home. Shortland Street can be seen every weeknight on TV2 at 7pm.


Ends

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