Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori/Māori Language Week celebrated
Posted on September 29, 2020
Macleans College staff and students joined in celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori/Māori Language Week from 14 - 18 September.
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori/Māori Language Week always marks the day in 1972 when a group of Māori language champions presented a petition on the steps of parliament calling for te reo to be taught in our schools. Māori language week helps us to remember those who did that when it was socially and politically unacceptable to do so.
The aim was to provide opportunities for everyone to move forward in learning and engaging in te reo me ngā tikanga Māori (Māori language and culture) wherever they were on the journey.
Form time activities included flax weaving, learning a new kupu o te wiki (word of the week), investigating what whakataukī (Māori proverbs) might mean to us in our lives. The Macleans College Choir performed in the Amphitheatre and several groups recorded waiata together. There were workshops to create Māori inspired treasures and learn more about tikanga.
It was great to hear both staff and students speaking te reo, from a simple greeting or farewell, to more complex words and phrases. The Chalk Art House Competition had a Māori theme and Mr Whippy came along to reward those who were using te reo.
The week was a great celebration and everyone joined together in taking responsibility to ensure the unique language lives on for future generations. The goal is to move beyond the week to make our celebration of te reo me ngā tikanga the way we do things at Macleans College.
