Māori language week is an opportunity for concentrated celebration, promotion and encouragement and every minute of every hour of every day is a Māori language minute that we can choose to use te Reo Māori. Every time we do use our language, even just a ‘Kia ora!’this  contributes to revitalisation. 

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. 

What can you do? 

Mā tātou katoa te reo Māori e whakarauora: Whakatauhia te reo Māori ki te wāhi mahi me te hapori. Whakahau i ētahi atu ki te kōrero, ki te ako hoki i te reo Māori; whakauruamai hoki te reo Māori ki tōu ao kia tika tonu te whakahua i te kupu Māori i ngā wā e kōrero Pākehā ana. 

Ahakoa iti, ākona, kōrerohia! 

Kia nui ake te ako ka kōrero ai. 

Whāia te ara poutama o te reo ka tohatoha ai. 

Everyone can contribute to te reo Māori revitalisation. Make te reo Māori 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. 

What can my organisation do? 

Think about a language plan. Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori The chosen theme for 2022 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'. Strength for an endangered language comes from its status, people being aware of how to support revitalisation, people acquiring and using it and from the language having the right words and terms to be used well for any purpose. On this site you can find resources, ideas and reports about revitalisation and its increasing success. 

Te reo Maori is a taonga of Māori, guaranteed under the Treaty of Waitangi. But the Māori Language Act 2016 also makes clear it is for every New Zealander and a valued part of our national identity. 

Goals of Māori Language Week: 

Create a positive environment for the use of Māori language. Promote Māori language initiatives and events. Encourage non-Māori speaking New Zealanders to use reo Māori. Encourage speakers of Māori to support others who are just starting out. Encourage community, business, government and media organisations to participate. Promote resources to make Māori language more accessible.