Language tells the stories of humanity, and these are the stories of te reo. These are the stories of Aotearoa.

The struggle for the survival of te reo Māori is told on the Stories of te Reo website. It is the first time a timeline of this sort has charted the pivotal moments in the assaults on and revitalisation of our indigenous language. 

We know the timeline only tells part of the story; we need your help to complete it. So, we are inviting all New Zealanders to share their stories, their memories and the actions they have and are taking to ensure its survival as a unique part of our national identity. 

Contribute your story. See tips for sharing your story.



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The Māori Language in Pukekohe and vicinities

The Māori Language in Te Atatu

The Māori Language in Papakura

The Māori Language in Tuakau

The Māori Language in Waiuku

The Māori Language in Otara

The Māori Language in Manutuke and neighbouring communities

The Māori Language in Waikohu

The Māori Language in Potaka and Waikura

The Māori Language in Opotiki County

The Māori Language in Tolaga Bay and districts

The Māori Language in Tokomaru Bay and districts

The Māori Language in Central Waiapu

The Māori Language in Gisborne city

The Māori Language in Opotiki

The Māori Language in Te Kaha

The Māori Language in Hicks Bay

The Māori Language in Te Araroa and vicinity

The Māori Language in Napier and Bay View

The Māori Language in inland Wairoa

The Māori Language in Pukehou

The Māori Language in in Havelock North and Waimarama

The Māori Language in Hastings city

The Māori Language in Kohupatiki and Waipatu

The Māori Language in Porangahau

The Māori Language in Rangitukia

The Māori Language in Raupunga

The Māori Language in Nuhaka

The Māori Language in Whakakī

The Māori Language in Mohaka

The Māori Language in Haumoana

The Māori Language in Opoutama and Mahia

The Māori Language in Bridge Pā and Ngatarawa

The Māori Language in Te Hauke

The Māori Language in Pakipaki

The Māori Language in Omahu

The Māori Language in Wairoa

The Māori Language in Rangitikei

The Māori Language in Feilding

The Māori Language in Shannon

The Māori Language in Whanganui

The Māori Language in Palmerston North and Te Arakura

The Māori Language in Waihiki, Moteo, Runanga and Te Haroto

The Māori Language in Patea

The Māori Language in Foxton

The Māori Language in Ratana Pā

The Māori Language in Masterton

The Māori Language in Papawai and Greytown

The Māori Language in Wainuiomata

The Māori Language in New Plymouth and Okato

The Māori Language in Porirua and district

The Māori Language in Otaki, Manakau, Kuku and Poroutawhao

The Māori Language in Pongaroa

The Māori Language in Waverley

The Māori Language in Mangakino, Whakamaru and Atiamuri

The Māori Language in National Park and neighbouring areas

The Māori Language in Taumarunui and districts

The Māori Language in Turangi

The Māori Language in Taupo and Waitahanui

The Māori Language in Ngapuke

The Māori Language in Putaruru and districts

The Māori Language in Opunake

The Māori Language in Meremere and districts

The Māori Language in in Tokoroa

The Māori Language in Whatawhata

The Māori Language in Coromandel, Kennedy Bay and Manaia

The Māori Language in Matamata, Waharoa and Te Poi

The Māori Language in Hamilton City

The Māori Language in Te Kauwhata

The Māori Language in Huntly

The Māori Language in Te Awamutu and District

The Māori Language in Cambridge

The Māori Language in Horotiu

The Māori Language in Ngaruawahia 1976

The Māori Language in Kawhia and Aotea 1975

The Māori Language at Waipa Mill and in Horohoro

The Māori Language in Owhata

The Māori Language in Reporoa (1978)

The Māori Language in Matahi and the Waimana Valley

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Parade 2018

“Whakarongo ki ngā kupu o ngā kaumatua, kākahutia i runga i a koe, mau hei hoatu ki te ao hou”

He Reo Whānau

Te nui hoki o ngā tuhinga!

"In Another Lifetime"

Ko tōku reo, ko tōku taonga.

"Ko tōku reo, ko tōku taonga, ko tōku taonga ko tōku reo"

Ngā Tamatoa - Haere Mai

Ōriwa Tahupōtiki Haddon

My mum, my mountain: Hana Te Hemara

Mozzies: We don’t cease to be Māori once we’ve left

Quentin's Journey

NZ Story - Meng Foon

Te Aritaua Pitama, Whakatauki me Waiata

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Papawai Marae

Hana O’Regan at Te Kura o Te Tira Mōrehu Reo o Moeraki

Te Kura o Te Tira Mōrehu Reo o Moeraki

Moeraki kaumātua Joseph Tipa reflects on his childhood

Ka hao te Rakatahi: My never-ending journey of learning te reo

He Kūmara, He Kai, He Kāinga

Kia tika te rere o ngā kupu, kia tika te reo.