Inspiring Stories Blog - Te Rangaihi Reo Māori

He maimai aroha: Anaru Robb

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · May 22, 2022 10:27 AM

“Anaru’s ability to speak Māori committed him throughout his adult life to holding the government to task about its obligations to te reo Māori and Māori rights.” — Wena Harawira.

Can they cope with 'more than the odd kia ora'?

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · May 22, 2022 10:25 AM

“Being exposed to te reo in our everyday environments, including on our news channels, benefits both speakers and non-speakers of the language.” — Awanui Te Huia.

Theia releases new album Te Kaahu

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · May 09, 2022 12:00 PM

Em Walker, known as Theia, is today releasing her new te reo Māori album, Te Kaahu.

Revealed: Four te reo Māori names proposed for City Rail Link stations

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · May 09, 2022 12:00 PM

The proposed names acknowledged the history of the land and areas in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland that the stations would occupy. The proposed names are Maungawhau (Mt Eden), Karanga a Hape (Karangahape), Te Wai Horotiu (Aotea) and Waitematā (Britomart).

Wellington City Council commits to stronger focus on te reo and Māori history

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · May 05, 2022 2:01 PM

More Māori street names and considering how transport projects can help improve access to services are among the initiatives in a plan just ratified.

Language app designed to spread the word

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 28, 2022 11:49 PM

A te reo Māori app developed for Ashburton District Council staff is to be shared with the community, so others can learn more about local Māori language and protocols. The app also covers Tagalog (the primary language of the Philippines) and Samoan.

About all the Māori nonsense - a response from Māori Language Commissioner

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 28, 2022 2:42 AM

"Te reo Māori is endangered in the land it comes from. It is a language that is native to this country and like an endangered bird, its future depends on what we do. "

Majority of NowNext survey respondents believe Māori culture and history is an important part of our national identity

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 27, 2022 5:00 AM

Despite positive response towards Māori culture and history in Stuff's NowNext Pou Tiaki survey, Māori continue to experience racism and the negative impacts of colonisation.

The ongoing fight for Māori to school our own, our way

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 21, 2022 1:40 PM

'They’ve constantly tried to fit us into a system that won’t ever be sophisticated or reflective enough to love and grow our tamariki.'

New bilingual traffic signs for schools to replace English-only

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 20, 2022 12:00 AM

It comes after a recent change to a land transport rule which came into force this month, and will see school in both te reo Māori and English featured on the signs.

Coming soon: te reo Māori courses for the public sector

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 14, 2022 2:38 AM

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori is launching pilot te reo Māori courses for the public sector.

Te Matatini marks 50 years with album, book and web series

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 13, 2022 12:00 AM

The national kapa haka festival is a celebration of te ao Māori, and has been a significant part of the te reo Māori revitalisation.

Whakamāori - New show coming soon

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 11, 2022 2:31 PM

Whakamāori brings Google Translate to life! Historical speeches, poetry and TV theme tunes - anything goes in this podcast which aims to translate some of our best known content from English to Māori, hosted by three te reo Māori enthusiasts who don't always agree.

Finding my real voice

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 10, 2022 8:50 AM

“I’d finally joined an environment where I didn’t have to use my Pākehā voice for the first time in my life.” — Siena Yates.

Canadian director's passion for indigenous languages, including te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 06, 2022 6:00 AM

“Now you have non-Māori people from different backgrounds teach in Māori. This is an accomplishment. This is what we would like to see in Canada. We would like to see non-indigenous teaching indigenous languages, and I believe it's going to happen.”

Esteemed Māori leader Dr Moana Jackson passes away

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 30, 2022 10:43 PM

His work on Māori and Indigenous rights has been an inspiration to many, using his knowledge and experience to help Māori and Pākehā understand the impacts of colonisation in Aotearoa.

Inaugural writers festival to highlight Māori literature

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 29, 2022 1:00 PM

The Kupu Māori Writers Festival is set to launch in June

Māori Television Celebrates 18 Years Of Telling Māori Stories | Scoop News

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 29, 2022 4:15 AM

Māori Television reflect on how they have entertained and inspired audiences through the telling of Māori stories.

Māori Television at 18: Seeing Māori in the media opened up the pearly gates

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 28, 2022 3:52 PM

Māori Television turns 18 today, and I owe much of who I am to it.

Teen incorporating Māori culture into Shakespeare excited for Globe performance

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 26, 2022 5:00 AM

Māhanga Mitchell blends his Māori upbringing with Shakespeare, and is now taking his fresh take on the Bard to the Globe Theatre in London.

Troy Kingi confirms Matariki release for reo Māori album

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 25, 2022 12:00 AM

The announcement comes after the artist was named as the 2021 APRA Silver Scroll Award/Kaitito Kaiaka winner on Thursday night.

The business founder, activist and writer pausing her award-winning career to learn te reo Māori fulltime

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 23, 2022 3:23 PM

Qiane Matata-Sipu isn’t someone who does things by halves. Here's why she's hitting the pause button on her award-winning career to learn te reo Mā�ori fulltime.

The Māori Language Commission paid tribute to the late leader, Tā Wira Gardiner

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 18, 2022 11:26 PM

Tā Wira was exceptional because he led from the front in all he did. Te reo Māori was no exception.

Whakapapa – there’s an app for that

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 28, 2022 1:05 AM

A Māori living in Australia has developed an app to help people document their whakapapa.

Te Māngai Pāho and Octave announce new partnership for ReoAko.

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 21, 2022 9:41 PM

ReoAko is a translation tool that enables website managers to easily add te reo Māori to their websites.

Te Karere turns 40: How it changed the voice of Aotearoa

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 20, 2022 9:16 PM

Derek Fox, the man who pushed hard to set Te Karere up, looks back on the show's origins.

A chat with... Te Karere's Derek Fox

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 19, 2022 5:40 AM

In February 1982, journalist Derek Fox was instrumental in getting Te Karere going - but it's not always been an easy battle with TV bosses.

Ōtaki Surf Live Saving Club bilingual website easier to surf

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 11, 2022 1:00 PM

The club has taken the opportunity to be more representative of its community

From outrage to No 1 hits: how Māori musicians conquered the charts in their own language

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 10, 2022 8:11 PM

Once, singing in te reo Māori could trigger a backlash – now New Zealand’s indigenous language is at the heart of its music scene

Te Karere, New Zealand's first Māori language television show, is turning 40

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 10, 2022 5:00 AM

“This is the value of what Te Karere has been. It’s helped to normalise te reo Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand,” says presenter Scotty Morrison.

Kura kaupapa founders go to Waitangi Tribunal in push for Māori Education Authority

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 08, 2022 4:40 PM

The group says the Crown has failed to honour the principles of Māori kura and sabotaged decades of efforts to improve them.

Artist brings colour and te reo Māori to urban Nelson

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 07, 2022 5:00 AM

Nerys Ngaruhe's goal is to bring te reo and toi Māori to Nelson's urban landscape.

Race relations commissioner calls for compulsory te reo Māori in schools

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 06, 2022 8:00 AM

On Waitangi Day, Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon urges the Government to meet its Treaty obligation to protect the Māori language.

New Zealand’s Battle for te reo Māori: Call for Stories

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 04, 2022 3:18 AM

The Māori Language Commission is calling for help collecting stories, images and memories that trace the ongoing battle to save the Māori language.  

Learn te reo Māori on-the-go with Mai i te Kākano

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · January 27, 2022 2:08 AM

The audiobook is perfect for learning on-the-go as you go about your day. It makes learning a bit easier for those who have full time jobs, tamariki to care for, or have no time for formal study.

'Kōhanga kids are changing Māoridom' - Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · January 25, 2022 10:31 AM

“Look where the language is. It's all over the place. Anything that wriggles is actually interested in the language. It's everywhere. I source it back to those mokopuna that sat at the feet of those expert, linguistic elders...”

‘We were called the Nazis of te reo Māori' - Sir Pou Temara pays a price for excellence

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · January 20, 2022 12:05 PM

For more than 40 years Sir Pou Temara has worked to nurture te reo Māori and, even though his quest attracted harsh criticism, he has no apologies for striving for excellence.

New RNZ National show to focus on Māori talent and stories

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · January 19, 2022 4:09 AM

Acclaimed broadcaster Julian Wilcox (Ngāpuhi, Te Arawa) is to host a new RNZ National programme featuring the talents and stories of Māori from across Aotearoa.

Returning to my roots: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s te reo Māori journey

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · January 18, 2022 11:39 AM

After five decades of forging a successful international singing career, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has returned home to Aotearoa and she’s keen to reconnect...

Rob Ruha: The man who helped Tairāwhiti take over TikTok

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · January 16, 2022 5:15 AM

It’s hard to ignore the joyous nature of Rob Ruha’s hit song, 35. But the musician says the global sensation is less about record sales, and more about the rangatahi.

Panga: Te reo Māori Wordle

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · January 10, 2022 5:15 AM

A simple five-letter word game called Wordle - which is taking the world by storm - now has a reo Māori version.

Sir Wira Gardiner on learning te reo Māori late in life

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · December 20, 2021 5:15 AM

"If an old koro like me can do it, anybody can."

Wētā Workshop adds macrons to undo misuse of te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 16, 2021 5:00 AM

For years the special effects company was mistakenly named after excrement, not an insect.

Māori language campaign wins global communications prize

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 15, 2021 12:46 AM

The Māori Language Commission’s Māori Language Moment has taken out the supreme award at the International Public Relations Association’s Golden World Awards for Excellence.

Creators on TikTok elevating Māori culture and language

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 10, 2021 4:02 AM

A growing community of te reo Māori educators are using social media platforms to teach people New Zealand’s indigenous language, which was at risk of total extinction for decades.

New course in Te Tairāwhiti to help implement te reo Maori into the cirruculum.

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 09, 2021 8:47 PM

Programme tutor Sue Ngarimu will lead the six-month Te Ahu o te Reo Māori course with the help of three of the region’s kaumatua as kaiawhina.

Shilo Kino: Learning Te reo Māori in the middle of a pandemic

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 02, 2021 5:00 AM

Shilo Kino on the struggles of learning in a year-long te reo Māori immersion course when the world is suspended high and dry

Santa Speaks Te Reo: Write To Santa With NZ Post And Receive A Response In Te Reo – Ka Pai! | Scoop News

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 01, 2021 9:13 PM

In the past year, we have seen a huge response to Te Wiki o Te Reo Māoriand including more Reo in our everyday lives. NZ Post and Santa understand the importance and NZ Post is proud to be for the third year, offering the magical connection of ...

Auditions To Commence For The Maori Language Version Of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Iconic Film The Lion King | Scoop News

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · October 29, 2021 1:34 AM

The first round of open auditions for The Lion King Reo Māori are open. “You don’t have to be from any particular rohe to audition, just like Moana Reo Māori we encourage everyone to have a go, Karawhiua!"

The pou tokomanawa in the whare: Bringing te reo to life in the places we live

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · October 28, 2021 5:15 AM

Reclaiming te reo Māori is always hard, but the hardest work – and the most important – takes place within the home.

Author Keri Opai writes book for Māori disenfranchised from te reo

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · October 21, 2021 2:58 PM

Tikanga: An introduction to Te Ao Māori, is a new book to help beginners understand the Māori world.

First road traffic signs in Te Reo Māori – Taihoa, Haere - NZ Herald

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · October 19, 2021 1:00 PM

Vehicle drivers in the Bay of Plenty witnessed the first use of :"Taihoa" (Wait) and "Haere" (Go) signs used by traffic managers yesterday.

Magician wows audiences all in te reo Māori - NZ Herald

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · October 12, 2021 1:00 PM

Api Wairau-Mason is self taught and been collaborating with well-known local magicians.

Privilege and language trauma

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 26, 2021 3:47 AM

“As the dust settles following Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, I feel like I’ve been through all the stages of grief. I’m unsure what part I play now.” — Vini Olsen-Reeder.

Two generations discuss their journeys with te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 23, 2021 4:42 AM

“I've had many conversations where it is like, ‘Oh that's so cool that you're learning te reo Māori, it's such a good hobby to have’. It’s like, no, I’m not learning how to knit, I’m not learning how to dance. I’m learning my voice.”

Demand jumps for job applicants who can speak te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 20, 2021 4:51 PM

Te reo Māori is not only culturally important, it's also growing in economic value, says a data researcher.

Learning te Reo is a personal journey

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 20, 2021 2:06 AM

“Te Wiki o te Reo Māori helps people to know that there is nothing scary about this language, and it’s a language that is ours – that belongs to Aotearoa,” Mike Kawana said.

Couple met learning te reo Māori, now its their son's first language

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 19, 2021 5:00 AM

Casey and Nathan met in a te reo class at work. Now, it's the only language they speak to their toddler son.

Samoan multilinguist shares inspiring story of learning te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 18, 2021 9:59 AM

Tuiloma Lina-Jodi Samu is a Samoan multilinguist with eight different languages under her belt. One of those languages is Aotearoa’s very own te reo Māori.

Te reo Māori and Welsh: Two indigenous languages, two stories of revival

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 17, 2021 3:26 PM

Beaten for speaking the language; shame around speaking it; suppressed and ridiculed by the British. Sound familiar?

HRC to stop hearing individual complaints on use of te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 17, 2021 2:09 AM

The Human Rights Commission will no longer consider individual complaints over the use of te reo Māori or the term Pākehā.

Māori Party launches petition to change official name of New Zealand to Aotearoa - NZ Herald

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 16, 2021 12:00 PM

The petition also aims to use te reo Māori names for all towns, cities and places by 2026.

‘Nau mai te rekareka’: We’ve got some sexy reo Māori for you

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 16, 2021 5:45 AM

It’s important we get to use te reo in all the ways it can be, including the sexy ways!

‘35’ by Ka Hao feat Rob Ruha is the TikTok anthem of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 16, 2021 5:44 AM

We spoke to two rangatahi behind NZ's #1 hot single.

Kea Kids News: New video game features wahine Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 15, 2021 4:46 PM

The game developer hopes Guardian Maia wil inspire more indigenous video gamers.

Graphic designer a 'one wahine waka' taking te reo Māori into homes

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 15, 2021 3:10 PM

Aroha Tamihana never learnt te reo as a child growing up in Tajikistan, but she's making up for it with a vengeance.

More than a million said to take part in reo Māori moment

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 14, 2021 9:16 PM

There was waiata, animation, stories, korero, team quizzes and fitness routines to Poi E.

How famous New Zealand landmarks got their Māori place names

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 14, 2021 11:19 AM

What's in a name? When it comes to our place names, expect rip-roaring yarns taking in everything from early explorers to star-crossed lovers.

TikTok, Twitch new ‘vehicles’ for Māori creators to kōrero, ako te reo Māori

Posted by John Williams · September 14, 2021 5:00 AM

Thanks to Sonny Ngatai, more than 175,000 TikTok users know how to correctly pronounce Paraparaumu. A further 97,000 know different ways to sign off their emails in te reo Māori.

‘You’re not going to get a job in te reo Māori’: 3 people who proved this wrong

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 14, 2021 1:30 AM

Today we are seeing the fruits of those sacrifices our tīpuna have made in order to save the language. Featuring Te Aorere Pewhairangi, Te Rauhiringa Brown and Hēmi Kelly.

More than 'mā te wā': How Air New Zealand is helping te reo Māori fly

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 13, 2021 11:19 AM

Araraurangi (Air NZ) have released a new app 'Kia Rere' for staff and passengers to practise and improve their reo. The app has a section where users can fill in the details of their journey and learn the sentences in te reo Māori needed to talk about their trip.

Affirmations for when you need a reminder of your connection to te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 13, 2021 5:46 AM

These words have been written as something for you to say to yourself so that you remember your connection to this reo.

A short history of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 13, 2021 5:46 AM

Kua tae ki te wā e te whānau! Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, when te reo is proudly marched down the street, when staffrooms around the country are suddenly covered in post-it note reo and when all the Karens and Dons prepare for the apocalypse.

A te reo Māori glossary for your home

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 13, 2021 5:00 AM

I'm busting out the sticky notes to remember these kupu around my whare - how about you?

Learning te reo Māori 'like going home', says fashion designer Kiri Nathan

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 12, 2021 5:00 AM

Finding a year to study full-time was never going to be easy, but Kiri Nathan realised being unable to speak her language had become too painful.

'I'm beginning a journey': The inside story of Lorde's surprise mini-album in te reo Māori

Posted by John Williams · September 09, 2021 4:12 PM

Ahead of Te Wiki o Te Reo, Lorde today releases Te Ao Mārama, five songs from Solar Power re-recorded in te reo Māori, the Indigenous language of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te reo Māori game gets native trees in the ground this lockdown

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 08, 2021 9:53 AM

"We’ve partnered with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori to release a reo Māori version of our popular “Tree Snap” game, Taukapu Rākau," A card game designed to help anyone spot native rākau in the wild so that people can to get to know our taiao in a fun, friendly way.

An Open Letter to Aotearoa - Professor Rawinia Higgins

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 08, 2021 5:00 AM

We were anxious not to put pressure on people this Māori Language Week because there are so many things we are being asked to do. It isn’t always easy to live in lockdown, separated from the people and places who make us we are.

Popularity of te reo Māori challenge surprises organisers

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 07, 2021 9:34 AM

"I looked at some of the other months, you know, you've got Dry July, No Junk June or whatever they are and then you've got Movember, and I thought: I'm gonna do one for te reo." Since then, Mahuru Māori has grown into something of a movement.

Six60, Stan Walker, Anna Coddington and many others release new music in te reo

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 04, 2021 5:20 PM

Artists including Stan Walker, Che Fu and Six60 have re-released their hits in te reo Māori for another series of Waiata Anthems.

Waiata Anthems: Anna Coddington's mission to normalise te reo Māori for her tamariki - NZ Herald

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 03, 2021 12:00 PM

Anna Coddington has always been on a reo but said her children were the real 'catalyst'. The singer-songwriter is one of many New Zealand artists who have released a new single in te reo Māori for Waiata Anthems Week called Aho / Beams ft. Louis Baker...

Learning new poi each day in lockdown

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 27, 2021 5:06 AM

Ihaka Whanarere Tauri was only a baby when he picked up the poi and has never let it go ever since. Now at 11 years old, he has set up a personal challenge on social media, attracting over 30,000 viewers in three days.

Kiwis using lockdown to learn 'easy to access' Te Reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 27, 2021 2:21 AM

Learning te reo in lockdown has been made easier for many, thanks to the efforts of those like Hēmi Kelly, who during the first lockdown started a community group on Facebook . 'A Māori phrase a Day' now has 92,000 people in its waka

Te Nūtube Releases New Hit Reo Māori Single “Paki Mati” In Lockdown! | Scoop News

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 23, 2021 12:00 PM

Atareta Milne (11) and Te Haakura Ihimaera-Manley (9) from Te Nūtube are back to entertain tamariki and whānau across Aotearoa, and bring light to our lockdown living. Their new hit waiata (song) “Paki Mati” releases across all major music streaming ...

South Taranaki students help with reo Māori video to recruit Māori into trades

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 23, 2021 5:00 AM

A new video entirely in te reo Māori features students from South Taranaki. The campaign aims to show young Māori where a career in trades could take them. The digital campaign coincides with Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) and will run throughout September.

Learning the features of verbs in te reo

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 21, 2021 5:00 AM

In te reo there are two main classes of verb: verbs of “doing” (action verbs) and verbs of “being” (stative verbs). - Learn with David Karena-Holmes

Māori Language Moment 2021

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 20, 2021 3:04 AM

New Zealanders are being invited to be part of history and help shape the future as the Māori Language Commission seeks to set a new world record with its award-winning Māori Language Moment. “Last year 1 million New Zealanders celebrated te reo with us, this year we are hoping to see 2 million New Zealanders celebrating with us,” said commission chief executive, Ngahiwi Apanui. “Te reo Māori is still an endangered language. We need everyone’s help to ensure it is safe for future generations.

The wāhine Māori bringing te reo Māori to audiences through Korean pop music

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 14, 2021 5:00 AM

Taylor-Rose Terekia performs Korean pop song covers, but with a twist — she translates them into te reo Māori.

A kaiako on the year's best te reo Māori books for children

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 11, 2021 8:30 PM

Pati Hakaria shares her own te reo story, and talks about some of the picture books shortlisted for the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award for te reo Māori.

Ngā Tohu o Matariki o te Tau: Māori excellence celebrated at this year's Matariki awards - NZ Herald

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 02, 2021 12:00 PM

Stacey Morrison has been recognised for her contribution to the revitalisation of te reo Māori and tikanga. Although she did not speak te reo Māori until adulthood, the mother of three achieved her goal of becoming fluent by the time her children were born.

Teachers say learning te reo is making them better at their jobs

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 01, 2021 10:34 PM

Principal Nicola Ngarewa said the simple act of pronouncing children's Māori names correctly made those children feel valued.

'It’s everything': 11 wāhine tell us about their relationship to te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · July 29, 2021 3:00 AM

For Māori, our relationship with reo and culture isn’t straightforward. We’ve had to fight for our language and customs - a journey which looks different for everyone.

School Report: Kura kaupapa drive top te reo Māori marks up

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · July 26, 2021 5:00 AM

Students are leaving school with levels of Māori language proficiency not seen in decades, experts say.

Newshub's Oriini Kaipara on te reo, TV and racism in New Zealand

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · July 25, 2021 5:00 AM

Kaipara is a television anchor and mother of four, and she’s only 37. You know her because in 2019 she made headlines for becoming the first woman with a moko kauae, a traditional chin tattoo, to present a mainstream news show when she filled in on TVNZ’s noon bulletin.

Frozen, The Lion King to be dubbed in te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · July 23, 2021 1:36 AM

Production is underway to create te reo Māori versions of Disney classics, Frozen and The Lion King.

Calling in on The Godfather

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · July 18, 2021 10:10 PM

"I’m good with anybody who makes the effort. I’ve learned other languages and they’ve been quite tolerant, too. So I believe that if the effort is sincere, then give them all the help they want." - Tā Tīmoti Karetū

Matariki: A lot can change in a year - Shilo Kino

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · July 04, 2021 8:00 AM

When we first started learning about the kaupapa of Matariki six weeks ago, I didn't think it would be another exercise in decolonising but I was wrong. Everything in te reo Māori is hōhonu - deep - because there is life force in everything we learn. He mauri tō ngā mea kātoa.

A Māori Siri: Voice apps that recognise te reo Māori a possible future

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · July 02, 2021 4:02 PM

Human: “Hey Siri, can you take me to Kaitaia?” Siri: “Which car tire?”

Masters study for te reo to launch in July, following national demand - NZ Herald

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 29, 2021 12:00 PM

"The programme is about providing Māori language excellence for highly competent Māori language tauira." says kaiako, Pania Papa. The course is said to be very similar to Te Panekiretanga o te Reo, a top Māori language academy which closed its doors two years ago.

Album of songs will celebrate 50 years of Te Matatini

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 28, 2021 6:55 PM

Songs that epitomise 50 years of Te Matatini will be recorded in an album marking the 50th anniversary of the national kapa haka competition in 2022. “You will hear a vibrant and new sound that will help elevate the Māori language”

Pop-up cafe helps students gain barista and te reo Māori skills

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 24, 2021 6:47 PM

People can get a discount off their kawhe by using te reo Māori at Awatapu College's pop-up cafe. This is to encourage the normalisation of the language.

Veteran Māori broadcaster stunned by pilot's perfect announcements in te reo

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 24, 2021 6:47 PM

A pilot's perfect use of te reo impressed a passenger so much that he asked to meet him and was blown away to discover the pilot wasn't Māori, but simply endeavouring to learn and use te reo as much as possible.

Trade training in Te Reo Māori launched in Waikato

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 23, 2021 1:25 PM

Ngā Taiātea has teamed up with BCITO to provide the first NCEA level 3 building, construction and allied trades skills units in Te Reo Māori. Up until now, only English versions have been available.

Pop chart launches for te reo Māori songs

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 20, 2021 11:58 PM

A weekly chart for the most popular songs in te reo Māori is being launched today. The official chart will compile the top 10 songs in te reo Māori by sales, streams and airplay.

Artist calls out racism after te reo Māori sticker gets graffiti complaint

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 16, 2021 5:53 PM

Hohepa Thompson is trying to encourage the everyday use of te reo Māori, so he put a label reading rāpihi (rubbish) on the council bin outside his store, but the sticker kept disappearing and then the bin disappeared too...

How learning te reo Māori helped me heal my mental health

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 15, 2021 5:00 AM

Like many of our rangatahi, Katelyn Vaha’akolo struggled with her mental health as a teen, but over time she’s found the things that keep her wairua tau and changed her perspective on life - now she wants to encourage others to speak up and find what helps them.

Christchurch teen elevating te reo Māori usage - one floor at a time

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 15, 2021 5:00 AM

Rangimarie Te’evale-Hunt, 15, fought for two years to have te reo Māori spoken in her school's lifts. After the involvement of Fair Go, lift company Schindler Lifts agreed to changing the elevator voice to a bi-cultural one.

Mind your language: the backlash against the te reo revival

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 11, 2021 2:20 PM

Why is a minority still threatened by the use of the Māori language?

The Backstory: Why Stuff’s homepage greets you with 'Kia ora, Aotearoa!' not 'Hello, New Zealand!'

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 10, 2021 9:26 AM

Here’s the beautiful thing about inclusive language: it doesn’t exclude you.

Gentle, respectful, humble: how non-Māori can help revitalise te reo

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 08, 2021 11:47 PM

“The way that Pākehā engage with te reo is going to be different to a Māori person who has grown up without their ancestral language, seen it battered – literally, beaten out of their whānau..."

How to Bring a Language to Life - Dr Ruakere Hond

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 08, 2021 1:44 AM

Dr Ruakere Hond is a long-time kaiako (teacher) of the Māori language through a community-based approach to learning. A passionate proponent of the revitalization of the Māori language, Ruakere shares why indigenous languages are so important in modern society.

Former Katchafire member Hāni Dread releases new waiata saluting te reo revolutionaires

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · May 31, 2021 1:00 PM

Former Katchafire member Hāni Totorewa says his new waiata Kōkiri “is for those who fought for the maori language to be recognised”.

Robert Rakete brought to tears by te reo translation of The Breeze radio jingle

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · May 20, 2021 2:30 PM

“I’m so proud that we are doing this — not just because we want to do the right thing — we’re just doing it because we should,” The Breeze host said.

Justice Joe Williams: Let's try and get it right

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · May 16, 2021 1:07 AM

“Both sides are saying: ‘We want to do it a different way.’ It's just no longer right to say evil nasty Crown, good angel iwi. It's not like that at all.” — Supreme Court judge Sir Joe Williams.

'It was very spiritual': Musicians share stories of song and te reo while recording Waiata/Anthems

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · May 02, 2021 5:00 AM

"I walked into the studio, met Don, sung it a few times and then left. Little did we know what it would go on to become."

This doesn’t make us less

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · May 02, 2021 3:29 AM

“Some of my generation may never receive the precious gift of time and energy to learn te reo Māori. This doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. This doesn’t mean it doesn’t cut deeper each day.” Shelley Burne-Field on the pain of being 'reo-less'.

Māori Language Moment recognised in global awards

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 29, 2021 11:00 AM

Māori Language Moment named a finalist in the globally recognised Reed Awards.

Language, and more: The challenges for kura Māori students arriving at university

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 23, 2021 11:50 AM

Raiha Cook grew up attending kura Māori, but when she decided to study at the University of Otago she found the move from te ao Māori to European-style learning difficult. Now she's researching that transition to help make it easier for students to feel safe at mainstream universities.

How non-Māori students play a part in te reo revitalisation

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 16, 2021 3:36 PM

A research first has highlighted the important role of non-Māori learning te reo for the revitalisation of the language. Charlotte Muru-Lanning spoke to Dr Will Flavell about where the language is going. Before he started learning te reo Māori, Dr Will Flavell (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Whatua, Ngāti Mani

Poetry of US civil rights activist Maya Angelou translated and heard in te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 16, 2021 3:30 PM

For the first time, well-known poems by famous poet Maya Angelou have been translated into te reo Māori and recited to celebrate wāhine and te reo rangatira.

Making te reo Māori cool: what language revitalisation could learn from the Korean Wave

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 16, 2021 3:27 PM

The state-sponsored pop cultural renaissance of Korea shows how language isn't an obstacle to world domination.

Stacey Morrison: Te reo growing pains

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 16, 2021 11:13 AM

When there were cries of "Māori snowflakes" in the media, it seemed to me the writer was inadvertently confirming the genuine snowball effect that Te Reo.

Reikura Kahi: Fuelling a love for te reo

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 16, 2021 9:38 AM

“It's up to us to keep fighting for our language and ensure its survival. Our language is essential to our identity as Māori.” — Reikura Kahi.

I'm non verbal, but that won't stop me from speaking Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · April 16, 2021 9:34 AM

“For me, te reo adds another dimension to being Māori. It enables one to feel a sense of belonging and connection to their culture and I want to be able to experience that privilege.”

Keep your complaints about te reo Māori to yourself, BSA rules

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 09, 2021 1:08 PM

The regulatory body that investigates complaints about our TV and radio programmes has today made it clear that the use of te reo Māori is not a breach of any broadcasting standard. Since June last year, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has received 27 enquiries about the use of te reo Māori

Reclaiming what was lost

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 07, 2021 3:29 AM

“That bridge tragedy in 1947 severed my links to my taha Māori. And only now, in my early 40s, am I reclaiming what was lost.” — Cornell Tukiri.

Te Reo Māori: A new era for the language - Hēmi Kelly

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 04, 2021 1:44 AM

Hēmi Kelly explores the benefits of learning te reo Māori, and addresses possible obstacles that have hindered learning in the past, so that the language can continue to flourish and reach new heights of recognition in the future.

Record enrolment for te reo Māori, foreign languages down

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · December 24, 2020 12:00 PM

The number of teenagers studying te reo Māori at secondary school has passed 30,000 for the first time.

No longer scared to speak my language

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · December 06, 2020 3:55 AM

My whole life I’ve been scared to speak my language. First I was scared of getting it wrong, then I was scared that I was wrong to be speaking it at all.

Keeping Māori storytelling alive

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 29, 2020 3:29 AM

In a world where technology is taking over and oral traditions are at risk of dying with our kaumātua, Lee Timutimu, with the help of a few famous friends, has made it his mission to keep Māori storytelling alive.

A whānau affair

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 21, 2020 3:53 AM

“We have almost four generations of te reo Māori speakers in our family. My goal in life before I leave this earth is that those teachings will funnel down to the next three generations after my children.” — Eli Smith.

Fish and chips and a serving of te reo

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 15, 2020 3:29 AM

The Matthews have been serving up te reo to their customers since 2018. The response from customers was so enthusiastic that they decided to host a beginners reo Māori class at the restaurant. Free. They were blown away when about 3,000 people showed interest.

This Pākehā life

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 12, 2020 4:01 AM

“I decided to enrol in an immersion course at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, in South Auckland. My friends were impressed, commending me for my ‘bravery’.” — Alison Jones

Reflecting the reo world

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · November 05, 2020 11:47 PM

Kristin Ross on the challenges of raising children in a reo-Māori speaking household. “Their decision to be a reo Māori-speaking household instantly cut off friends and whānau who either didn't agree with their decision or found it too challenging...”

Karena Kelly: Translating Dr Seuss into te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · October 26, 2020 11:45 AM

Dr Karena Kelly, a specialist in Māori language and linguistics, took on the task of translating Seuss’ last book published before his death Oh, The Places You’ll Go.

Young Māori clothing designer finds his passion through te reo

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · October 18, 2020 1:00 PM

Luke Moss is a clothing designer from Te Kuiti who makes clothes centred around Māori identity. Luke grew up hating being Māori but connected with his culture after learning te reo.

Pay attention to those who go before - Tainui Stephens

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · October 03, 2020 3:51 AM

"The words of our old people are the stars that guide us on our language journey", says Tainui Stephens. Here he writes about some of the kaumātua who showed him the way.

Revitalising te reo a three-generation process: Prof Rawinia Higgins

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 19, 2020 10:40 AM

Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders joined together to speak, sing and celebrate te reo at midday on Monday. This "Maori Language Moment", part of Te Wiki o te reo Maori, was the single largest celebration of the Maori language in our history.

Justice Joe Williams on te reo Māori, and synthesising Aotearoa law

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 19, 2020 5:00 AM

“I learned the reo out of joy for the world finally making sense. And I learned the law out of optimism that if it was the agent for the destruction of my koroua’s mana then it equally could be the agent for the reconstruction of the mana of his mokopuna and great mokopuna...”

Māori studies expert shares 'significant' history of how Te Wiki o te Reo Māori came to be

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 15, 2020 12:00 PM

Vini Olsen-Reeder says a petition delivered to Parliament in 1972 sparked generations of action.

Hinewehi Mohi: Beyond Twickenham

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 13, 2020 11:45 AM

“We’re talking about the creation of a bilingual music industry... Eventually, all our artists will know that this is something they can access and do, and it will become normal that an artist might have a reo Māori track on their album, as much as they might have a remix.”

A yearning for the reo

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 20, 2020 12:00 PM

“We need to re-establish communities where the language is used in homes and there’s a support network. We want the language to be caught, not taught. We want a living language, not a textbook language, so my whole dream is to reinstate intergenerational transmission where parents use the language to raise their children.”

Stacey Morrison: Learning te reo Māori is sometimes a luxury

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 16, 2020 5:00 AM

Learning te reo Māori is not just an academic exercise, says the broadcaster.

Finding your voice through the reo - Tainui Stephens

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · August 02, 2020 4:17 AM

For a long time, I thought that learning te reo Māori was just about learning a language. How wrong I was. Any language represents the personality of the people who speak it. The hardest part about learning Māori, is learning how to think Māori.

Welcome to the reo-volution: On the explosion in Māori language learning

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · March 02, 2020 2:45 PM

With te reo Māori classes about to start for 2020, the ‘no vacancy’ signs are going up around the country as people continue to flock to learn our native language. There’s no denying that a reo-volution is underway across Aotearoa.

Pimp my reo - Moana Maniapoto

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · February 09, 2020 4:08 AM

I’ve always wanted to be confidently fluent and, at times, I’ve felt like it’s been within my grasp, that I’ve almost got there. But then I let it slip away. Other priorities and distractions, life and stuff... I’m going in. It’s time to . . . ā-ā-ākona te reo.

Rawinia Higgins: We’re not being too PC about te reo Māori. We’re worried

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · January 16, 2020 2:45 PM

One of our most well-known food companies, Watties, launched a campaign recently that deliberately misspelled place names, in te reo and English. New Zealand’s first language is endangered. We can’t afford to normalise misspelling and mispronunciation any more than it already is.

Celebrating our reo warriors

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · December 01, 2019 4:14 AM

“When the Māori Language Commission first opened its doors in 1987, te reo was viewed by many New Zealanders as something that would divide us. Māori language proponents were often seen as the enemy.”

Timoti Karetu: A stickler for standards

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · October 27, 2019 4:33 AM

A couple of years ago, Timoti Karetu, who’s now 82, was knighted for his services to Te Reo Māori. That KNZM wasn’t any surprise because, in a career spanning 60 years, he’d been a major force on behalf of the language — as a school teacher, university lecturer and professor, haka performer, composer and tutor, author, Māori Language Commissioner, kōhanga reo advocate, mentor and, above all, a stickler for standards.

The woman who fought to say 'kia ora'

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · September 18, 2018 12:00 PM

In 1984 Dame Rangimarie Naida Glavish was almost fired for saying 'kia ora'. We take a look at how her protest paved the way for Te Reo in New Zealand 🙋🇳🇿...

Embracing a place and space that celebrates Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 27, 2018 6:21 PM

Kararaina Luke who's been a school principal for 22 years speaks about past, present and the future of Māori children.

Wellington law firm to train all its staff in te reo Māori

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 21, 2018 6:44 AM

Wellington firm becomes first private organisation in NZ to adopt a "Reo Plan" with Māori Language Commission.

Language advice column now a book

Posted by Kiriana Hautapu · June 28, 2012 2:42 PM

A weekly advice page on Maori language in a school newsletter has turned into a newly published book, launched this month, by Otaki's Hēni Jacob.