May 12, 2023
App puts Mataatua reo on show
The story of the Mataatua waka is the focus of a new mobile phone app for learners of te reo Māori.
It’s a collaboration between scholar Pouroto Ngaropo and Maori-owned technology developer Kiwa Digital for the Education Ministry.
Kiwa chief executive Steven Renata says while Te Waka Tipua o Mataatua focuses on Ngati Awa reo, it could be adapted for use with any waka, iwi, or hapu dialect.
“What happens from a user experience is that you are able to swipe the text, and it will speak to you. You are able to say the word – and if you double-tap the word – it will phonetically pronunciate it for you. So for those that are learning reo, or perhaps a new kupu that they’ve never heard before, or learning an new korero – a new phrase – this literacy functionality with the app is very, very powerful for learners,” he says.
Mr Renata says interactive digital learning is an education gamechanger that can make learning fun, memorable and easier.