Māori Language Week is just around the corner (14-21 Mahuru/September to be exact) and this year's theme is Ake Ake Ake - A Forever Language, chosen to represent the hope, resilience, adaptability, and endurance of te reo.
Here are 10 ways to celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori / Māori Language Week this year.
Ways To Celebrate Māori Language Week 2024 in Auckland
Neon Kupu
Lorne Street | 2 September - 30 October
Image credit: Auckland Council | supplied
Lorne Street’s getting lit for Maramataka Māori with three 2-metre pieces of neon effigies of the kupu (words) Rere, Tika, and Māori in reference to a whakatauākī “Ko te reo kia rere. Ko te reo kia tika. Ko te reo kia Māori.” This translates to “Let the language flow. Let the language be correct. Let the language come from a te ao Māori worldview.” The artwork was created by Ataahua Papa (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Mahuta) and Anguis Muir Design. Swing by and soak it up or, better still, flood the ‘Gram and TikTok universe with meaningful neon goodness.
Giant Book: How Māui Slowed The Sun
Central City Library |6, 13, 20, 27 September
Peter Gossage’s “How Māui Slowed The Sun” is set to become larger than life in an illustrated picture book 1.5 metres by 1 metre and every Friday through September it’ll feature in a Te Reo Māori Storytime from 11-11.30am. Gorgeous.
Waiata Anthems
Auckland Museum | 13 September
Image credit: Waita Anthems | supplied
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music and culture at LIVE at the Museum: Waiata Anthems this Friday at Auckland Museum. Celebrate the 5th anniversary of Waiata Anthems with stunning live performances from Aotearoa’s finest, including new releases from this year’s lineup including Chase Woods, MAJIC, Nikau Grace, Jordyn With A Why, MA, and more. Enjoy a diverse blend of genres while connecting with the beauty of te reo Māori. Don’t miss this epic showcase of modern Māori music.
Check Out Incredible Open Air Māori Art
Various | Anytime
Commissioned by Auckland Transport, pockets of mahi toi (Māori art) are woven through the centre city. What starts as a functional project—say revamping infrastructure—becomes a powerful art project, where local Māori artists hailing from our 19 iwi add their touch to these spaces. The result? A tapestry of layered, contemporary te ao Māori art that belongs to Auckland, for all of us to see, love and feel. Now go forth and lace up your trainers, nab yourself a soy cappuccino to go, because you’ve got a collection to peruse.
Ways To Celebrate Māori Language Week 2024 in Wellington
Te Pū Āio - Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori Yoga Class
AWHI Yoga & Wellbeing | 15 September
All are welcome at AWHI’s heated yoga flow regardless of movement or te reo Māori experience. Kicking off at 10am, the 90-minute class will be taught entirely in Māori by kiako (teacher) George Lake. Entry is via koha donation with all proceeds being donated to the Naenae Boxing Academy, a youth programme that teaches young people life skills through boxing and physical fitness. Book via the AWHI app or website and BYO mat or hire one on the day for $2.
Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori Parade 2024
TSB Arena | 16 September
March for te reo Māori at the official Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Parade. Walkers are invited to assemble outside the TSB arena at 9.30am for a 10am start. The walk is a gentle one along the waterfront to Waitangi Park. BYO signs adorned with te reo Māori kupu.
Nohinohi Reorua / Bilingual Storytime
Newtown Library | 18 September
Tiny tots are the most receptive to learning languages so if you’re keen to immerse your tamariki in te reo Māori you might just like to hightail it to Newtown Library for a superhero-themed bilingual storytime. The 30-minute session begins at 10.30am and includes stories, rhymes, and songs in te reo Māori and English.
Ways To Celebrate Māori Language Week 2024 in Christchurch
Mātaka Mai / Māori Film Festival
Alice Cinema | 14-21 September
Ōtautahi’s first ever Māori Film Festival is sure to pop off. The Mataka Mai festival kicks off on 14 September with an opening gala followed by an 8.30pm screening of I Am The River, The River Is Me with a new screening each night until 21 September. The rest of the lineup includes Encanto Reo Māori, White Lies, Mauri, Poi E, Ka Whawhai Tonu, Utu Redux, and Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara.
Ways To Celebrate Māori Language Week 2024 Nationwide
Encanto Reo Māori
Cinemas Nationwide | From 12 September
Image credit: Matewa Media | supplied
Disney, but make it reo Māori. The latest from Tweedie Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley of Matewa Media, you can watch Disney’s Encanto entirely in te reo Māori featuring the voice talent of Te Waimarie Ngatai-Callaghan, Hinetu Dell, Poroaki Merritt-McDonald, Awhimai Fraser, and more. This very special Encanto joins the Reo Māori collection of Moana (2017), The Lion King and Frozen (2022), and Coco (2023) which are all streaming on Disney+.
Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori Clothing
The Warehouse | 14 September
Image credit: The Warehouse | Instagram
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission) has partnered with The Warehouse to bring us a 2024 Kia Kaha te Reo Māori capsule collection of affordable hoodies, tracksuits bottoms, sweatshirts, and family tees to help normalise te reo Māori for all New Zealanders. This is the first time such a range has been available to purchase but it’s limited edition so if you want to get your mitts on this reo-affirming apparel, you’ll have to act fast.
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Main image credit: Auckland Council | supplied,