September 16 - 23 2024 - Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, or Māori Language Week, is an annual campaign led by Te Taura Whiri promoting te reo as New Zealand’s language and a language for all New Zealanders. Every year they encourage whānau from across Aotearoa, New Zealand, including organisations, schools, workplaces and homes, to give te reo Māori a go. The campaign is an essential piece of the puzzle to achieving the goal of 1 million speakers of te reo Māori in 2040.

“Māori Language Week has been celebrated each year from 1975  and commemorates the presentation of the 1972 Māori language petition to parliament.

HOW TO OBSERVE MĀORI LANGUAGE WEEK

1. Learn some new words

   Make an effort to learn at least a dozen Māori words before the week is up. Here are a few that are easy to use everyday: kia ora - hello, mōrena - good morning, pō mārie, good night, āe - yes, kāo - no, e aua - I don't know, haere mai - come here, ka pai - well done, whānau - family. Check out these resources.

2. Correct your pronunciation
   

   If you're not sure how to pronounce a word try the link above. Te Aka is a great link to find new words and hear how to pronounce them.

3. Watch television

   The news and weather reports continue make great progress in the content or te reo Māori that they incorporate all year round.

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.”