Te Wiki o te Reo Māori takes place from the 14 – 21 of September 2024, with the first day marking the 52nd anniversary of the Māori Language Petition being presented to Parliament.
The official kaupapa (theme) of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2024 is ‘Ake Ake Ake – A Forever Language.’ It represents the resilience, adaptability and endurance of te reo Māori.
It also reflects the commitment New Zealanders have to embracing and learning te reo Māori long into the future – an attitude the resonates with us at Āpōpō.
Here’s how members of the Āpōpō team are embracing te reo this week (and beyond!)
George Bowman, Āpōpō Board member
Kaitiaki-a-tīma | Team Leader, Assets & Performance (formerly Flood Operations Planning)
“Kia ora e te Whānau! Ko George toku ingoa, Kei te pane matua Taiao e mahi ana. He Kaitiaka-a-tīma Assets & Performance ahau! My name is George and I work for Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) as Team Leader of Assets and Performance. I’m lucky to currently work for an organisation that really support you in your te reo Māori learning journey. With GWRC I have completed two te reo Māori courses including two immersive Noho Marae stays. While I am still at the beginning of my journey, my vocabulary has really improved and I have a number of Karakia for opening and closing meetings, and blessing the kai.
This year for Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, GWRC have dedicated Rumaki Hubs at each of our office sites.
What is Rumaki?
Rumaki | 1. (verb) (-na) to immerse, drown.
Rumaki Hubs are a space for te reo Māori with the intention that “practice makes perfect.” The purpose of these hubs will be to practice, strengthen, learn, and gain confidence in your use of te reo Māori. So this year I will pop along to a Rumaki to learn and practice my te reo.
There is also a Whakataetae (Competition) where you can participate in a quiz on te reo Māori me ōna tikanga. After the staff have the opportunity to come together for kaitahi (shared kai) in celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
Nicola Chisnall, Āpōpō Board member
Ko Nicola Chisnall toku ingoa.
Ko Ingarangi te whakapaparanga mai engari
I whānau mai au i Wairarapa
I tipu ake au i Ruatoria me Ohakune.
Kei awa kairangi au e noho ana
He Asset Manager Three Waters ahau I Ara Poutama Aotearoa
My name is Nicola Chisnall
My family is from England
I was born in the Wairarapa
I grew up in Ruatoria and Ohakune
I live in Lower Hutt
I am the Asset Manager Three Waters at Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections).
The few things I am doing this week include saying a Karakia when opening and closing at team meeting, trying to use more te reo Māori words in everyday conversation, and sharing water related reo using the WaterNZ poster resources which are tino pai.
Emily Liddell, Āpōpō Member Engagement Manager
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is a great reminder for me to practice my te reo! In the office, we have added a karakia to our team meetings (twice a week) to focus our meeting on a positive outcome and attitude, and so that each member of our team can practice their pronunciation.
I have also expanded my pepeha – after attending the AuSAE conference last week I’ve focused it on creating connection to the people and places of significance to me.
Growing up in Dunedin, near the Southern Alps and southern beaches – this beautiful landscape was the backdrop to my youth. Aoraki (from the Mueller Hut or ridge-line), and hour and hours spent on the Taieri River, all have a special place in my heart having grown up around them, appreciating their vast wonder.
Emily and her Dad showing us what it’s like growing up with the Southern Alps in your backyard!
