Te reo Māori became an official language in its own country 35-years-ago this August and the battle for its survival has yet to be won says the Māori Language Commission. “The battle for te reo Māori has been fought in communities across Aotearoa, from our smallest towns to our biggest cities. In 1987 some warned that making te reo an official language would divide New Zealanders but 35-years later, te reo is something that unites us,” said Professor Rawinia Higgins, Māori Language Commissioner. “From the 1 million people who joined us for our Māori Language Moments, to the thousands singing our anthem in te reo at All Black tests and the hundreds taking part in total immersion kura reo every weekend: te reo is part of our national identity as New Zealanders and connects us all to this place we call home.” “For Māori New Zealanders, te reo is an integral part of our identity. It tells the story of our families and links us forever to our ancestors and to Aotearoa. The battle for its survival is part of the story of every Māori family.” Today also marks the 35th birthday of the Māori Language Commission, which opened its doors when the Māori Language Act became law. Professor Higgins said Stats NZ data released this month revealed some exciting developments: ● Almost 1 in 4 Māori New Zealanders now speak te reo as a first language, while 34 per cent of Māori New Zealanders can speak te reo fairly well. ● Young New Zealanders are leading the way in te reo proficiency, with around 40 per cent of those aged 15-34 able to speak more than a few words or phrases. ● 3 in 5 New Zealanders think te reo should be a core subject in primary schools. “But the battle is not over: we need 1 million speakers of te reo by 2040 to safeguard our language for future generations. Those babies born today will be the first adult generation of speakers in 2040, the countdown is on.” 50-years-ago in 1972 the Māori Language Petition, calling on the government to protect te reo and teach it in schools, was presented to parliament. That day, the 14th September became Māori Language Day and later Māori Language Week. For the past two years at the moment the petition was presented, 12pm on the 14th September: more than 1 million New Zealanders have stopped to celebrate the Māori Language Moment. This year the Māori Language Moment is 12pm Wednesday 14th September 2022. Te wiki o te reo Māori: Kia kaha te reo Māori: Monday 12th September – Sunday 18th September 2022 RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR LEARNING OF TE REO MĀORI One strategy as an early learning centre for Te wiki o te reo Māori could be setting time with your team to create a language plan as Trish Thomas shares in the previous article, Embracing a Living Treaty in Early Childhood Education, ‘shift positive aspirations into action’. There are many options and opportunities to learn te reo Māori within Aotearoa/New Zealand. First, check what is available in your own community/city/region such as your local polytechnics, your local Te Wānanga o Aotearoa; and if Te Ahu o te Reo Māori is being offered close to you this is a great option for teachers, https://kauwhatareo. govt.nz/mi/resource/te-ahu-o-te-reomaori-2/ THE REVITALISATION OF TE REO MĀORI: Online or App resources ● https://www.reomaori.co.nz/ ● http://www.tewhanake.maori.nz/ ● http://www.tokureo.maori.nz/index. html ● https://kupu.maori.nz/ ● https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/ international/where-can-i-study/ study-online/toromai/toromai_ home.cfm ● Kia kaha te reo Māori Facebook page ● Panga: te reo Māori Wordle ● https://www.maoritelevision.com (and now an app). Ōpaki is a great option for language learnng ● Tipu Te Reo Māori app ● Te Aka Māori Dictionary, https://maoridictionary.co.nz Useful books include: ● Māori Made Easy series by Scotty Morrison ● Te Reo Māori: The Basics Explained by David Karena-Holmes ● A Māori Word a Day and A Māori Phrase a Day both by Hemi Kelly (also has a fantastic Facebook/ Instagram and podcast) ● He Iti te Kupu: Māori Metaphors and Similes by Hona Black Informative podcasts: ● Taringa (Te Wānanga o Aotearoa) ● Everyday Māori (Hemi Kelly) THE BATTLE FOR ITS SURVIVAL September 2022 { 18 }
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