The celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori was particularly special this year, as 2022 marks 35 years since te reo Māori was declared an official language of Aotearoa. Student Sacha McNeil tells about the week long celebration at UHC.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is an opportunity for us to celebrate te reo Māori, and practice using more te reo phrases in everyday life.

UHC celebrated Te Wiki o te Reo Māori with a range of activities including Pikitia and Kai (watching 'Hongi to Hangi'), Te Wiki mindfulness, Kai tunu (cooking in te reo), and the Māori language moment - a challenge to learn a range of te reo words and phrases. 

Throughout the week, students from each House worked together to design and create a banner representing their respective Houses. The banners were required to depict their House Patron/Matron, include a whakatauki/quote in both te reo Māori and English, and represent their house colour. 

These banners were paraded around the quad on Friday, and judged by Ms Taylor and Matua Awa - congratulations to Hillary House for taking the win!

Teacher Matua Jackie Awa elaborates on the importance of this week, celebrated at UHC.

Ko te reo te manawa pou o te Maaori. Te kaakahu o te whakaaro te huarahi I te ao tuuroa.

Why is Te Reo Mãori more important now today? Firstly Te Reo Māori is indigenous to Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a taonga recognised under the Treaty of Waitangi. It is also an official language of this country. 

By understanding and using Te Reo Maaori New Zealanders become aware of the role played by the indigenous language and culture in stating who we are and where we fit in the wider world.

By learning Te Reo Māori , Māori students and students of Māori strengthen their identities and both journey toward cultural awareness.

Te Kaareti o Remutaka celebrated Te wiki o te reo Māori early this year.

All in all, it was a very successful week. All thanks to the student-run Cultural Committee and Wellbeing Committee, and the amount of enthusiasm of participation from the Upper Hutt College students - nga mokopuna o te korowai tipuna whanau. He wiki tino pai teenei.

Na te manu e kai ana I te miro, noona te ngahere. Ko te manu e kai ana I te matauranga noona te ao. Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Maaori.

Mauri Ora!!!