Monday 13 -19 September was Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week).

Māori language week commemorates the presentation of the 1972 Māori language petition to Parliament which occurred in the month of September.

This years' theme for Māori language week is “Kia Kaha te Reo Māori”. Kia Kaha is well understood in New Zealand English as “be strong”.

We often talk about languages as if they are people — talking about language health, strength and revitalisation. So when people say “Kia Kaha te Reo Māori”, it means “let's make the Māori language strong”.

The college put together a range of activities to test and celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, and daily Kīwaha (idioms or informal phrases) were taught each day.

Staff and Student language challenges were also sent out to Admin classes each day. Congratulations to Wairakei 1, Te Tuinga admin, and Mr Nicholas McCartin, who were our challenge winners. 

Our college encourages all to continue to celebrate and use Te Reo Māori every day, big or small.

Kia kaha Te Reo Māori.