Maori Language Week marks 25 years

This week marks the 25th anniversary for Maori Language Week, and the Te Awa shopping complex in Hamilton held a launch party on Monday to kickstart the national event.

A lineup of influential speakers each provided an insight into why Maori Language Week is so important to New Zealanders and respect was paid to Dame Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira, one of the founding members of Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Maori (Maori Language Commission).

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell spoke about the importance of New Zealanders learning Te Reo Maori and how it is our duty as a nation to hold on to it.

“We need to embrace the language before it is lost and gone forever, we need to stop fighting with the courts and with each other about it,” he said.

His hopes for the future is to have marae all around the country to be totally immersed in Te Reo by 2017, as well as having options for people to speak and read Maori wherever they go, whether it be shopping or watching television.

Given the honour of cutting the cake to celebrate the 25th year of Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo were former Labour Minister of Maori Affairs Koro Wetere and Professor Timoti Karetu, one of two remaining founding members of the Commission.

Known for being outspoken, Mr Karetu simply said: “I have nothing new to add. We all know what we need to do. Don’t be lazy it’s never too late to learn Te Reo Maori. You have to make time for it as it’s too important.”

The message for this year’s Maori Language Week is Arohatia Te Reo, which means cherishing the language.

With statements from speakers about how it is up to New Zealand to pave the way for future generations, there are signs of hope.

You can find companies supporting this idea, with Countdown having translations for groceries in their stores and Vodafone with a new phone application which allows customers to use their iPhones in Te Reo Maori.

Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori runs from July 23 to July 29. Ma te reo, me te reo, mo te reo.