by Jacey Wahi

Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori - 12th to 18th September

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On Tuesday this week, students made Fried Bread to share under the guidance of our Cultural Navigator Whaea Tina Singer. Based on a personal taste test, the bread was just outstanding – ka mau te pai! Kia ora to Jacey Waihi for her fabulous photos, ka kino te haere! (just excellent!)

Kia kaha’ is well understood in New Zealand English with its meaning of ‘be strong’. We often talk about languages as if they are people – especially when we are talking about a language’s health, strength and revitalisation.

So, when we say ‘Kia kaha te reo Māori’ we’re saying - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'.

The Māori Language Petition (Te Petihana) presentation to Parliament on 14 September 1972, with over 30,000 signatures, kickstarted major shifts in the revival of te reo Māori as a living language in Aotearoa New Zealand. Since this moment 50 years ago, Te Petihana has, and continues, to inspire the Māori language movement.

Check out this interactive timeline to learn about the Māori language: https://www.storiesoftereo.nz/