Kia ora te reo Māori

Māori Language Week

is a week for all New Zealanders to recognise Maori as an official language in New Zealand. While learning the language is not compulsory, Te Reo is a special part of our kiwi identity. Even New Zealanders who have never learnt Te Reo, understand and often use words like kia ora, haka, puku, and whanau.

Māori Language Week gives us a chance to celebrate something truly unique to our country. While you may not be a fluent Māori speaker, (or even want to be), the Māori language is still a part of who we are as a nation.

Asides from attending organised events and workshops in your area, there are plenty of other ways you can celebrate Māori Language Week with your children. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Use 5 Māori Words a Day

Create a family challenge where by every member has to use 5 Māori words in conversation each day. While it might seem like a difficult task at first, chances are you already know more than 5 words and use them without even thinking. Some common Māori words which are used in everyday conversation include:

• Kia ora – Hello
• Kapai – Good
• Whare – House
• Kai – Food
• Whanau – Family
• Puku – Tummy
• kōrero – Talk, speak, have a conversation
• Moe – Sleep
• Waiata – Song, to sing
• Karakia – Prayer, pray
• Tūraparapa - Trampoline
• Tūpana -Bounce
• Hūpeke - Jump