September 12, 2022
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori marks 50-year struggle
The Māori Language Commission Te Taura Whiti I te Reo Māori is asking New Zealanders to share their stories of the battle for te reo Māori.
This year’s Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, which starts today, is highlighting the 50 years since the Māori Language Petition was presented to parliament.
Māori Language Commissioner Rawinia Higgins says they will return to Parliament on Wednesday to honour those who demanded change.
She says 50 years ago, few Maori children were fluent speakers of their own language, after a century of suppression in which children had been punished and sometimes physically assaulted for speaking te reo.
Te Taura Whiri has launched an interactive Stories of Te Reo website where people can share stories, and every school and kura in New Zealand will receive unique Toolkete so young people can begin to understand this history.
At noon on Wednesday there will be the Māori Language Moment when people are encouraged to celebrate te reo Māori in some way from wherever they are.
Visit the Stories of Te Reo Website here: www.storiesoftereo.nz
Get tips on how to capture your stories here: https://www.reomaori.co.nz/stories-of-te-reo-toolkete