Our Reo, Our Responsibility – Celebrating 50 Years of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

This year marks 50 years since the beginning of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week — a powerful movement for the revitalisation of te reo Māori.

We want to take a moment to reflect and honour those who steered the waka 🚣‍♀️ — the courageous champions who paved the way for the reo to thrive today.

In this blog, our Kaiārahi Cultural Advisor, Jay Ikiua, shares whakaaro (reflections) on the journey of te reo Māori and what this kaupapa means to us:

Everyday matters whether you’re in the supermarket aisles, or in the workplace, our reo lives when we use it.

Aotearoa New Zealand would not be Aotearoa New Zealand without te reo Māori. Our indigenous language existed and thrived long before and post colonialisation. This is a testament to rangatira, kaumatua, kuia and many others who stood strong to ensure the preservation of te reo.

This blog and the pūrākau (stories) that follow give honour to the composers, kaiako (teachers) and  tauira (learners) of te reo Māori, artists, poets, tohunga tā moko, rongoā Māori practitioners, the kaikōrereo  on the paepae welcoming manuhiri, to the aunties in the whare kai  and all tangata whenua and non-Māori who advocate to normalise te reo Māori in our everyday lives.

As I write, I reflect on an encounter with a non-Māori father I overheard speaking te reo with his four-year-old daughter in the New World supermarket. The words ‘haere mai, kaore, ae, whakaronga mai, whai I ahau, kia tere’ echoed through the aisles. Intrigued, I approached him to compliment him on his reo.  He shared how learning te reo Māori was the highlight of his week and how it was important for his tamariki (children) to learn.

That moment made me think: how can we welcome and encourage former refugees and migrants to live their traditions and speak their languages if we do not also support tangata whenua to protect and grow the reo?

The preservation of te reo Māori should not rest solely on Māori shoulders.  It is the responsibility of all of us. Since 1987, te reo has been an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand and if we are serious as Te Tiriti o Waitangi partners, we must protect this taonga, our national identity, our reo.  

Using te reo in the workplace and in social settings is inclusive and culturally responsive. It fosters respect, contributes to a positive workplace environment and strengthens cultural capital. To make this happen, we must all be consciously aware, brave and sometimes even willing to sit in discomfort, especially for those who are not ready for change. Being conscious means giving time to learn, making mistakes (with grace!) and staying open. 

Whaia te iti kahurangi ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei, ki nga whetu rawa.

Seek the treasure that you value most dearly, if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain, let it be beyond the stars.

Mauri ora.