Māori Language Week is a special time every year to focus on and encourage and celebrate the use of Māori language. This year it takes place from 21 – 27 July 2008.

The week targets Māori language speakers, encouraging them to use the language more often and in more places. Many beginners and non-speakers are becoming more and more involved in celebrating the week too.

"The aim of Māori Language Week is to encourage all of us to feel proud of the Māori language," says Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission). "Māori language is an intrinsic part of our culture and history. Language defines a nation and its people and the Māori language helps give Aotearoa a distinct and unique identity. Many of us appreciate this more when we travel overseas and realise it is part of what makes us 'Kiwi'. Knowledge of Māori language also provides a greater understanding of our history."

Of course, for many Māori speakers, every week is Māori Language Week, and every day is Māori Language Day. "Māori Language Week is a chance for the wider community to get involved in Māori language activites and use the language, even if it is something as simple as saying 'kia ora,'" says Huhana.

Te Reo i te Kāinga – Māori Language in the Home

The theme for Māori Language Week 2008 is 'Te Reo i te Kāinga - Māori Language in the Home'. "Home is the place where children can be encouraged to learn and speak Māori. It is in the homes that parents, caregivers and whānau can expose their children to Māori on a regular, daily basis by using whatever Māori language skills they already possess,” says Huhana.

An important aspect of the Māori Language Strategy, a 25 year government strategy to revitalise Māori language, is whānau language transmission within homes, acknowledging parents and caregivers as the first educators of their children. Intergenerational language transmission within families is widely recognised as the cornerstone of successful language revitalisation. Huhana Rokx explains, "A living language is a language spoken every day in the home."

The bigger picture

The Māori language is one of three official languages in Aotearoa, the others being English and New Zealand Sign Language. Approximately 30,000 non-Māori speak the Māori language. Most Government departments and agencies now have bilingual names and citizens can request for public services to be administered in the Māori language. New Zealand Post recognises Māori place-names in postal addresses.

Māori Language Week and its associated activities have evolved an influence on mainstream organisations and activities that have the potential to be far-reaching. National rivalry around the week-long events are largely responsible for the current intermittent presence of Māori language in all mainstream broadcasting sectors on a regular basis.

The future

"There is much to celebrate. Recent research shows that the decline of the Māori language has been halted, and more importantly levels of proficiency, acquisition and usage have increased. But much remains to be done and will require the concentrated efforts of Aotearoa as a whole", says Erima Henare, Board Chair, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori.

"He kupu tuku iho mō tēnei reanga - Whakarongo"

"A word, a language, bequeathed to this generation, bequeathed to this nation - Listen"

These words come from a song composed by renowned Ngāti Porou composer Te Kumeroa Ngoingoi Pewhairangi in the 1980’s - a time when Māoridom was being propelled with the intense need to revive its language.

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Article provided by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission).