Toitū!

Kia pānuitia tēnei whārangi i te reo Pākehā, tēnā pāwhiritia te pouaka takaiho kei raro i te ingoa o te whakaaturanga

The sustenance of chiefs is oratory.

An art form in and of itself, the Māori language is cause for appreciation and celebration. Interest in te reo Māori is at an all-time high – wait lists for classes are oversubscribed by learners from all ages and backgrounds, well-known songs are being re-released in te reo, movies are being translated into Māori, and the number of books published in te reo is on the rise.

Toitū! brings together a panel of leaders from te ao Māori who have demonstrated determination and commitment to the revitalisation, endurance and growth of te reo Māori. Their stories of lived experience will give us a snapshot into what it takes to be a language warrior in this day and age, during these uncertain times.

This is a fantastic opportunity to further your understanding of te reo, regardless of where you are on your language journey, and to hear from this group of recognised experts in te reo, including Dr Sir Tīmoti Kāretu (Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo Māori, Te Kohanga Reo National Trust), Professor Rawinia Higgins (Māori Language Commissioner), and Pānia Papa (Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo Māori; Te Ahu o Te Reo Māori), who have dedicated their time and energy to ensuring the ongoing strengthening of the indigenous language of Aotearoa.

This is a bilingual event

Mākete Māori

Come down to the Supper room on Sunday 26 March from 12pm–7pm to browse Mākete Māori.

You’ll be able to pick up te reo Māori books from Kotahi Rau Pukapuka; sign up for a learning programme with Mumu Reo; buy greeting cards from Ngā Kāri Māori; jewellery from Rerehua Boutique; clothing from KRS Apparel; a range of taonga from XMT Creations; and designs by Tātou Prints.

Real-time English translations of Māori spoken will be provided via headsets for those that require assistance