March 22, 2024
Love of reo bringing crowds to Ōtautahi hui
Te reo speakers from throughout Te Waipounamu are gathering in Ōtautahi this weekend to discuss strategies and programmes to lift the use of Te reo Māori.
Karuna Thurlow from Māori language support body Te Matawai says the Terea te Waka conference will feed into the organisation’s Maihi Māori Strategy stretching to 2040.
She says it’s an opportunity for fluent speakers to network, share best practices, and get support for what can be hard.
“And for those still on their journey, it’s giving them those role models and those aspirations and bringing together that community of people who are in love with our language and want to reclaim our language for our mokopuna,” Ms Thurlow says.
Terea Te Waka is hosted by Ngai Tuahuriri hapu of Ngai Tahu, but it’s for all in Te Waipounamu.