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Ngāti Kahungunu is again celebrating the people contributing to the revival of te reo Māori in its rohe.
Jeremy Tatere MacLeod says the biennial awards are a chance to say thanks to whānau and individuals who make the effort required.
Winners this year include broadcaster Potiki Teepa, who hosts an early morning show on Radio Kahungunu drawing out the conversation of kaumātua, inspirational teacher Parekura Rohe-Belmont from Eastern Institute of Technology, kōhanga reo stalwart Ruiha Woodward and Kotuku Tomoana, who has coached many in the art of whaikōrero and worked to keep the paepae of Ngāti Kahungunu filled.
The rangatahi award went to Tawhirimakea Karaitiana, who Mr MacLeod says has been a fixture in recent years at kura reo and iwi events.
"And I take my hat off to these rangatahi who come to these kura reo held during their school holidays. I think to myself if I was a young teenager I don't think going to kura reo would be a priority for my school holidays. But this kid Tawhirimakea, he's humble, you can see him at every iwi hui, the eyes are watching, the ears are listening, the mouth is closed, but he's sinking it in, he's like a sponge," Mr MacLeod says.
The Ngā Tohu Reo o Ngāti Kahungunu awards will be presented during the Te Reo ki Tua Symposium in Hastings at the end of August.
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