April 13, 2015
Koha gives new life
An organisation that helps people find sources of funding has changed its name, and with it adopted a new Maori concept.
The Funding Information Service, which maintains a database of the almost $3 billion in grants, awards, scholarships and other support available, will in future be called Generosity New Zealand.
Tied up with the new brand is the idea of koha with a macron for the long A.
Tu Mai publisher Ata Te Kanawa says in that form it means not merely gift or donation, but the emphasis on the second syllable 'haa' is about giving life.
She says it’s part of the way language changes, such as the way the phrase give a little, is widely used for charity work.
"Everybody knows now what give a little is and I think back in the days people would have related to the word donate but theres a lot of young people that don't even know what donate is or donation. It's fairly broad actually the word generosity and it certainly our word a new kupu 'ha' it is life is even broader" she says.
Ata Te Kanawa says consultation with Te Taura Whiri i te reo Maori revealed there were five different meanings for koha.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ATA TE KANAWA CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjgwNDU=
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