September 03, 2019
Dining clash reveals reo champion
Māori Language Commissioner Rawinia Higgins says a young Ngāpuhi waitress who was mocked by a diner for pronouncing Māori words correctly embodies the Māori Language Week theme: Kia Kaha te Reo Māori.
She says the way Mia Griffiths acted with mana in the face of abuse was a reminder the Māori language exists today because of everyday people who have kept it strong, even when that has not been easy.
She compared her to Dame Naida Glavish, who 35 years ago risked her job as a tolls operator with the Post Office for greeting callers with kia ora rather than good morning.
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori starts next Monday.
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