This week (14-20 September 2025) is the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week).

Born of activism, the week grew from a single ‘Māori Language Day’ set up in 1972. The seeds of a full week dedicated to te reo Māori were planted in 1974. By 1975 Te Wiki had found its footing and was off! Its growth and gains are what we celebrate 50 years on. 

Have a look at this website and below for a full range of resources that you can highlight in your faith community, including a challenge to incorporate Te Reo into your everyday life.

Why take part in this?

As a Diocese we are committed to honour our treaty partners and in becoming increasingly familiar with the use of Te Reo Māori, especially as contained in our Prayer Book. We have attached below a copy of one of our Standing Resolutions (3.6) on Māori Language Competency Guidelines (2022) which is a useful reminder of what we aspire to.

Kia Kaha te Reo Māori 2025

In our whānau, our places of worship, our work and study we can practice and affirm te Reo Māori and our own journey as tangata tiriti (people of the Treaty).

Below, you’ll find downloadable images and posters to use on social media, websites and to hang up around your office and parish.

Have a look at some beginners resources that you can use for yourself or have available for your faith community.

What can We do?

• At your Eucharist or at another part of your service why not substitute the Agnus Dei - O Lamb of God for one sung in Te Reo Maori? Rev'd Edward Prebble has made available one that you can use and sing along to PowerPoint attached below or on YouTube at https://youtu.be/r2Lm354eaP4

• In your prayers, have a go at using some of the alternative responses and prayers in Māori, so you can extend your repertoire (and comfort!) in Te Reo.  

• Have a look at resources we have on our website... and pray along with the audio recordings to help be more familiar and comfortable with Te Reo.

• Print out the Accessible and Inclusive Poster (attached below) and put it up in your church. 

• Thak a moment during the week and sing Te Inoi a te Ariki (The Lord's Prayer) or read the following prayer aloud (maybe find a friend to read it with!) from A New Zealand Prayer Book:

FOR OUR COUNTRY

God of the southern sea
and of these islands,
of Māori, Pākehā *
and of all who dwell in our land;
we give you thanks and praise for our country,
and for what we have achieved together.
Increase our trust in one another;
strengthen our quest for justice,
and bring us to unity and a common purpose.
You have made us of one blood;
make us also of one mind.

* This may be adapted in Polynesia

E te Atua o te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa,

me ēnei motu, o te iwi Māori, te iwi Pākehā,
me rātou katoa e noho nei i tēnei wāhi.
Ka whakamoemiti,
ka whakawhetai ki a koe mō tēnei whenua o mātou;
mō ngā mea pai katoa kua whiwhi tahi nei mātou.
Whakanuia tō mātou aroha tētahi ki tētahi,
whakakahangia tō mātou whai i te tika
kia kotahi ai mātou i runga i te whakaaro kotahi.
Kua hanga matou e koe hei toto kotahi;
i raro i tēnei whakaaro kotahi.

Āmine.