Mahuru Māori
Mahuru Māori is a month-long initiative in Aotearoa New Zealand aimed at promoting the use of te reo Māori in daily conversations and environments. It began in 2014, founded by Paraone Gloyne, as part of the broader efforts to revitalize te reo Māori and make it a living language in everyday contexts. Held annually in September, it aligns with Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and encourages participants to take up a challenge, like increasing their te reo Māori usage throughout the month and hopefully long term. For example: speak only te reo Māori for two hours every day, or only greet people in te reo Māori. The goal is not only fluency but also fostering a deeper appreciation of Māori culture and identity. Mahuru Māori plays a crucial role in normalizing the language and encouraging non-speakers to learn and use te reo in their everyday lives. By providing structured challenges and community support, it has grown into a significant movement that contributes to the ongoing revitalization of te reo Māori, which was on the verge of extinction but has seen a resurgence in recent decades due to such initiatives.
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is an annual event in Aotearoa New Zealand aimed at promoting the use and revitalization of te reo Māori, the indigenous language of the country. The initiative began in 1975 as part of a growing movement to recognize Māori language rights after decades of decline. During the early 20th century, te reo Māori was discouraged in schools, contributing to its marginalization. However, the 1970s saw a resurgence of Māori activism, leading to efforts to preserve and celebrate the language. On 14 September 1972, members of Ngā Tamatoa, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University’s reo Māori society, and the New Zealand Māori Students Association collected a petition with more than 30,000 signatures and presented that to parliament. That day also became known as Māori Language Day, which would later lead to Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. In 2024, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori will take place from 14th September to 21st September, with the 52nd anniversary of the Māori Language Petition falling on a Saturday. The theme is “Ake ake ake—A Forever Language." This theme reflects the aspiration for te reo Māori to be a language that endures for generations, firmly embedded in the fabric of New Zealand society. The week serves as an opportunity for both Māori and non-Māori to engage with the language, through activities, events, and challenges that encourage its everyday use. Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is a key part of broader efforts to make the language a vibrant, living part of Aotearoa’s culture, ensuring its survival and growth for future generations.
Though Mahuru Māori and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori serve as significant events to help promote the use of te reo Māori and foster a positive learning environment and opportunities to learn, it is not the only time you can use reo Māori or take up the challenge. We encourage you to utilize reo Māori every month, every week, every day.