Māori Language Week

Every year since 1975 New Zealand has marked Māori Language Week - Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. Waitangi Treaty Grounds is running a number of events from the 14^th to the 21^st September celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori.

On the 14^th September, the Treaty Grounds is introducing a discovery trail for children in both Te Reo and English that will be handed out to families on arrival. There are three different trails suitable for three age groups.

A Pōwhiri workshop is held on the 15^th with Waitangi Treaty Grounds Pou tikanga Māori Mori Rapana explaining pōwhiri protocols and tikanga incorporating both Te Reo Māori and English.

An Introduction to Carving workshop is planned with Waitangi’s resident kaiwhakairo on the 20^th September where participants create their own carving. For those who have completed the Introduction workshop or with previous experience there is an Intermediate carving workshop on the 21^st. Bookings are essential for the Pōwhiri workshop, Māori Cuisine Night and carving workshops.

Waitangi’s Pou tikanga Māori Mori Rapana is excited by the planned events: “It is fantastic that we are able to offer such a variety of kaupapa (activities) to support our commitment to te reo me ōna tikanga which is central to everything we do at Waitangi. We have worked hard to normalise and encourage use of Te Reo Māori throughout the Waitangi Treaty Grounds experience and are 100% committed to ensuring its survival and in the words of Sir James Henare: Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori -the language is the life force of the mana Māori. Without our language, what do we have?