Media release

Komihana ā Whānau encourages whānau to learn Māori together

23 July 2008

Tēnā koe, tēnā koutou katoa.

He mihi aroha, he mihi mahana, nā te Komihana ā Whānau, kia koutou katoa e noho mai nā i ngā Marae i ngā papa kāinga puta noa i ngā rohe katoa o te motu.

“Ko te reo i te kāinga, ko te reo o te whānau”. He kaupapa nui he kaupapa whakahirahira. Tautokona mai.

Māori Language Week encourages all New Zealanders to become more familiar with the language.

Komihana ā Whānau, Chief Commissioner Rajen Prasad said, “Māori language is an integral part of being a New Zealander. By taking up this challenge to use the language as part of everyday home life, people are honouring part of New Zealand’s unique culture.”

Komihana ā Whānau has joined forces with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, the Māori Language Commission and others to promote Māori Language Week, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, from 21-27 July 2008. This year’s theme is Māori language in the home.

Dr Prasad said “By focusing on language in the home, this week promotes not only learning the Māori language but an activity that can be done by the family together,” he said.

A selection of Māori Language Week, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, resources is available including the fifth in the series of Korero booklets giving tips on using Māori in the home. These and other resources can also be ordered via the website www.korero.maori.co.nz.

Komihana ā Whānau, also translates a number of its resources and report summaries into Māori and is in the process of developing parts of its website to include a Māori translation. These resources can be obtained through the Commission.

Ends