Māori Language- Enriching Culture, Lives and Mahi

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

Arron Perriam
Executive Director, CFANZ
17th September 2024

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, or Māori Language Week, celebrates the expression of te reo Māori, an official and indigenous language of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, which started in 1975, supports and encourages the use of te reo in everyday life and work, helping to spark meaningful conversations about cultural identity, diversity, and inclusivity.
I believe a better understanding of te reo avails to us a pathway to connect with the rich cultural history of Māori, building a sense of connection and mutual respect.

I challenge you to consider incorporating even some basic Māori greetings, phrases and tikanga into everyday conversations and activities. Taking this on personally and professionally may have the effect of creating a more inclusive and considered context for our mahi, including your community foundation mahi.

There is a Māori whakatauki (saying) that says, ‘e koekoe te tūī, e ketekete te kākā, e kūkū te kererū, meaning ‘the tūī chatters, the kākā cackles and the kererū coos’.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and the above whakatauki reminds me of the value of embracing the Māori language and cultural diversity as central elements to building stronger community. The Māori voice, and generally a more diverse voice and language promotes a more harmonious, and sweeter sounding tone for a brighter future together for all communities.

Learn more about how you can support Te Wiki o te Reo >>