Māori language week - By Neisha (Room 19)

- Māori Language Week -

Every year since 1975 New Zealand has marked Māori Language Week. This is a time for all New Zealanders to celebrate Te reo Māori (the Māori language) and to use more Māori sayings in everyday life.

In 2014, Māori Language Week is from 21-27 July; the theme is 'Te Kupu o Te Wiki', 'The Word of the Week’.
This is part of the original theme of Māori Language Week, ‘Arohatia te Reo – cherish the language’.
This year marks the 27th anniversary of the creation of Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission).

Te reo Māori is feeling rebirth and more people speak the language. There are Māori-language/bilingual schools and classrooms, Māori radio stations, and a Māori television channel.
There was a time when some people objected to hearing Māori greetings such as ‘Kia ora’.

Māori became an official language of New Zealand in 1987, alongside English and sign language. Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori was well-known in the same year to help Te reo. Along with the Human Rights Commission and Te Puni Kōkiri, it plays a key role in the annual Māori Language Week.

 Some common words we can use everyday:

Nau mai:  Welcome
Nga tae:  Colour
Anei:  Here
Raru:  Problem
Homai:  Give Me
Kupu:  Word
Panga:  Puzzle
Mea:  Thing
Whakautu:  Answer
Whakaaro:  Thoughts
Rawe:  Excellent
Kai:  Food
Miraka:  Milk
Hiainu:  Thirsty