The chosen theme for 2020 is again 'Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’.

‘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 – talking about language health, strength and revitalisation. So when we say ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’ we’re saying - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'.

Here at Riccarton Primary School we embed Māori language and cultural practices across our learning programmes. Karakia, waiata and mihimihi are taught in each class and we focus on a local place based curriculum - where learning the importance of where we are and having connections to our Mana Whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri is paramount.

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

Mā te kimi ka kite, Mā te kite ka mōhio, Mā te mōhio ka mārama

Seek and discover. Discover and know. Know and become enlightened.

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori learning at RPS

Maori Traditional Dance

I enjoyed making my own poi design and designing the Maori dancing dresses. My favourite part was finding out the meaning of maori words. Lastly I really liked drawing the pictures of the maori traditional dress parts.