On Rāhina we all met together to kick off our Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori activities with a whole kura waiata at 12 noon. And we have ended the week with a number of staff all wearing their KiaTūpore (Be Kind) t-shirts.

Māori Language week has been celebrated each year from 1975.

Māori Language Day is September 14 and commemorates the presentation of the 1972 Māori language petition to parliament.

Mahuru Māori is an initiative begun in 2017 to promote the use of te reo Māori throughout the month of September.

Why a week? Why not a year? Why not a decade? A century?

Because New Zealand is revitalising the Māori language and a part of that is celebration of our success and promoting te reo Māori. Māori language week is an opportunity for concentrated celebration, promotion and encouragement. And every minute of every hour of every day is a Māori language minute – we can choose to use te reo – every time we do, even just a ‘Kia ora!’ contributes to revitalisation.

Te Wiki o te reo Māori is becoming a major fixture on the national calendar providing an opportunity for concentrated promotion, raising awareness and giving an opportunity for expert and advanced speakers to encourage others on their te reo Māori journey.

Everyone can contribute to te reo Māori revitalisation:

• Make te reo welcome at work and in the community
• Encourage others to use and learn te reo Māori; welcome Māori language into your life
• Pronounce Māori words correctly when speaking English
• Learn a little, use a little
• Learn more, and use what you know
• Keep improving your language, and share what you know