The Māori Language Petition (Te Petihana) presentation to Parliament on 14 September 1972, with over 30,000 signatures, kickstarted major shifts in the revival of te reo Māori as a living language in Aotearoa New Zealand. Since this moment 50 years ago, Te Petihana has, and continues, to inspire the Maōri language movement.
Petihana Reo Māori 50th Anniversary Events
He Toa Reo Māori, 50 years on
Te Petihana Reo Māori 50th Anniversary Event
A national commemorative event will be held at Parliament to mark the 50th anniversary of the Māori language petition from 11:30am – 1pm on 14 September. Nau mai, haere mai ki tēnei hui ahurei!
Everyone is welcome to join the national commemorations during Māori Language Week. There will be formal speeches, live music, free kai and a moment for all of us to celebrate te reo Māori!
There will be a livestream for public viewing and if COVID or bad weather stops this from being a large public event, this will be advertised on this webpage as well as our Facebook page.
Event details
Parliament forecourt, corner of Lambton Quay and Molesworth St, Pipitea Wellington
Wenerei 14 o Hepetema (Wednesday 14 September)
11:30am – 1pm
Kore utu | Free to attend
Schedule
Arrival from: 11am
Opening karakia and speeches: 11:30am
Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori – Māori Language Moment: 12pm
Free kai and entertainment 12:30pm -1pm
Livestream
The event will be broadcasted live on:
- Whakaata Māori website
- Māori+ app on Apple or Google Play
- Māori Television channel on TV
Register
Click ‘going’ on our Facebook event page to stay updated on the event. If you are a group, organisation or school, we ask that you register your numbers here.
Tōku reo, tōku ohooho
Māori Language Petition 50th Anniversary Exhibition
Fifty years on to the day it was taken to Parliament on 14 September the Māori language petition (Te Petihana) is being exhibited in full at the National Library.
Bring your whānau along to view this taonga.
The presentation of the petition marks a major turning point in the survival of te reo Māori.
More than 30,000 people from around the country, Māori and non-Māori signed Te Petihana. The petition was led by rangatahi from Te Reo Māori Society and Ngā Tamatoa who wanted te reo Māori taught in all schools.
Event details
Te Puna Foundation Gallery (next to café), National Library, corner of Molesworth & Aitken St, Wellington
Exhibition runs from Wenerei 14 o Hepetema (Wednesday 14 September) to Saturday 3 December.
Kore utu | Free to attend
See more information about this event at the National Library website.
Photo credit: Fairfax Sunday Newspapers, Auckland Star collection.
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