Welcome to Māori Language Week! (13-19 Sep 2022) Join us to celebrate one of the most special weeks in the Aotearoa calendar.
This year is even more poignant a celebration because the 14th of September 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Māori Language Petition. This was a key step in the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori in New Zealand.
Enjoy some kōrero and pepeha from our Piritahi team members delivered in stunning Te Reo Māori in honour of this great milestone in our native language history.
Kia pai tō rā - have a good day.
What made you want to start learning Te Reo? I started my journey in Te Reo Māori through Piritahi and an archaeological discovery in Oranga. The Mana Whenua cultural monitoring representative, Jeff Lee, shared insight into the discovery, and what resonated with me was his message about bringing the kids from the local primary school to come and learn about it also. What struck me was that a lot of these kids were being raised in an area that they had no connection with, and by sharing this with them he hoped that it would give them a place of belonging. So for me, I have that as my ancestry but never embraced it or realised the value of belonging for me or my tamariki.
Where did you start?
It actually started through my wife, we both have different journeys but she was feeling that pull to get in touch with Te Ao Māori so enrolled at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and asked if I wanted to as well, which I did. We both completed our first year in 2021, something we were both pretty proud to have achieved together.
What have you learned?
There is a whole lot I have learned and a pretty long list, but one part of the journey that has been eye-opening was my first Kaiako who herself was very interested in the old ways that Māori lived and the myths and legends, which I got a really good dose of and also aligned with some aspects of my way of thinking and approach to different situations.
What are your goals in Te Reo?
Only just recently have I seen how diminished our Paepae is now, with our Kaumatua passing on, and with the knowledge of whaikōrero not being passed on (particularly in my Hapū). So for me working towards being able to sit on a Paepae, and whaikōrero not only representing my whānau but also in a professional capacity with Hick Bros and Piritahi. I do have to add though that there is some strong Iwi that represent well with their youth now whaikōrero and on the Paepae, it's so good to see.
How has learning Te Reo enriched you as a person? I think more so it has made me see some world views through a different lens, as my upbringing was not based around Māoridom, my journey thus far has made me more aware of who I am and where I have really come from, and to always be proud of my whakapapa and my people.
Any words of encouragement for Kiwis who want to learn Te Reo?
I would say for everyone and anyone to have a go, I love seeing our Piritahi people stand up and open and close the Hui with Karakia. For anyone who is attempting a language that isn’t their first, I take my hat off to them, especially Māori. It says to me that this is someone who is brave enough to try and also supports Te Reo Māori by giving it a go!
For those thinking to take up some formal education, get out and sign up as most of the courses are really friendly and fun as well! So Kia Kaha!
“I’ve been witnessing more people learning and giving it (Te Reo) a go, and that's the most important part, even if you can't pronounce something right.”
Sophia Olo-Whaanga, Social Responsibility Manager from Dempsey Wood Civil, joined us this week to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
Sophia is incredibly accomplished; among her many achievements, at Dempsey Wood she’s helped develop Māori and Tiriti o Waitangi policies, launched a Māori Leadership programme (Whakapuāwai), implemented Tikanga and Te Reo courses, and last year, won the ‘Change Maker Award’ at the NZ Sustainable Business Awards - mīharo! Amazing!
We at Piritahi are honoured to have such an esteemed wāhine toa share with us her views on Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
“Using Te Reo vocabulary in a casual conversation like ‘let’s go have a hui’ or ‘do the mahi get the treats’, things like that make Te Reo fun, and I think it’s really encouraging for others to see and hear that.”
Tino pai Sophia!
Omeka Takiari is a Machine Operator in our Delivery team based in Tāmaki.
In honour of Māori Language Week, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Omeka generously shares a bit about himself and his heritage in what is known as a pēpeha. He has also provided the English translation for those less familiar with Te Reo Māori.
Kia ora Omeka, ngā mihi nui.
Ben Edwards is a labourer in our delivery team based in Northcote.
In honour of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Ben generously shares a bit about himself and his heritage with a pepeha:
We've translated our Golden Rules for Safety into Te Reo Māori!
Visibility creates awareness, and that is the first step toward enriching our knowledge of Te Reo Māori.
Our wider site signage is also undergoing a few additions that you'll see being rolled out across our neighbourhoods. Check out a few examples below of what you can expect to see.
This year’s Māori Language Week is particularly special with the 50th anniversary of the Māori Language Petition, and we’re excited to see what the next 50 years bring. Not only are common sayings now widely understood and used in Aotearoa, but there are also increasing numbers of people taking the opportunity to learn Te Reo through the many available free courses.
Check out these places for more information on starting your own journey in Te Reo Māori this year, most offer online courses as well as night classes:
- Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
- Unitec Institute of Technology
- Auckland University of Technology
- Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Noho ora mai
(Stay well)
Welcome to Māori Language Week! (13-19 Sep 2022) Join us to celebrate one of the most special weeks in the Aotearoa calendar.
This year is even more poignant a celebration because the 14th of September 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Māori Language Petition. This was a key step in the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori in New Zealand.
Enjoy some kōrero and pepeha from our Piritahi team members delivered in stunning Te Reo Māori in honour of this great milestone in our native language history.
Kia pai tō rā - have a good day.
What made you want to start learning Te Reo? I started my journey in Te Reo Māori through Piritahi and an archaeological discovery in Oranga. The Mana Whenua cultural monitoring representative, Jeff Lee, shared insight into the discovery, and what resonated with me was his message about bringing the kids from the local primary school to come and learn about it also. What struck me was that a lot of these kids were being raised in an area that they had no connection with, and by sharing this with them he hoped that it would give them a place of belonging. So for me, I have that as my ancestry but never embraced it or realised the value of belonging for me or my tamariki.
Where did you start?
It actually started through my wife, we both have different journeys but she was feeling that pull to get in touch with Te Ao Māori so enrolled at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and asked if I wanted to as well, which I did. We both completed our first year in 2021, something we were both pretty proud to have achieved together.
What have you learned?
There is a whole lot I have learned and a pretty long list, but one part of the journey that has been eye-opening was my first Kaiako who herself was very interested in the old ways that Māori lived and the myths and legends, which I got a really good dose of and also aligned with some aspects of my way of thinking and approach to different situations.
What are your goals in Te Reo?
Only just recently have I seen how diminished our Paepae is now, with our Kaumatua passing on, and with the knowledge of whaikōrero not being passed on (particularly in my Hapū). So for me working towards being able to sit on a Paepae, and whaikōrero not only representing my whānau but also in a professional capacity with Hick Bros and Piritahi. I do have to add though that there is some strong Iwi that represent well with their youth now whaikōrero and on the Paepae, it's so good to see.
How has learning Te Reo enriched you as a person? I think more so it has made me see some world views through a different lens, as my upbringing was not based around Māoridom, my journey thus far has made me more aware of who I am and where I have really come from, and to always be proud of my whakapapa and my people.
Any words of encouragement for Kiwis who want to learn Te Reo?
I would say for everyone and anyone to have a go, I love seeing our Piritahi people stand up and open and close the Hui with Karakia. For anyone who is attempting a language that isn’t their first, I take my hat off to them, especially Māori. It says to me that this is someone who is brave enough to try and also supports Te Reo Māori by giving it a go!
For those thinking to take up some formal education, get out and sign up as most of the courses are really friendly and fun as well! So Kia Kaha!
“I’ve been witnessing more people learning and giving it (Te Reo) a go, and that's the most important part, even if you can't pronounce something right.”
Sophia Olo-Whaanga, Social Responsibility Manager from Dempsey Wood Civil, joined us this week to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
Sophia is incredibly accomplished; among her many achievements, at Dempsey Wood she’s helped develop Māori and Tiriti o Waitangi policies, launched a Māori Leadership programme (Whakapuāwai), implemented Tikanga and Te Reo courses, and last year, won the ‘Change Maker Award’ at the NZ Sustainable Business Awards - mīharo! Amazing!
We at Piritahi are honoured to have such an esteemed wāhine toa share with us her views on Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
“Using Te Reo vocabulary in a casual conversation like ‘let’s go have a hui’ or ‘do the mahi get the treats’, things like that make Te Reo fun, and I think it’s really encouraging for others to see and hear that.”
Tino pai Sophia!
Omeka Takiari is a Machine Operator in our Delivery team based in Tāmaki.
In honour of Māori Language Week, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Omeka generously shares a bit about himself and his heritage in what is known as a pēpeha. He has also provided the English translation for those less familiar with Te Reo Māori.
Kia ora Omeka, ngā mihi nui.
Ben Edwards is a labourer in our delivery team based in Northcote.
In honour of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Ben generously shares a bit about himself and his heritage with a pepeha:
We've translated our Golden Rules for Safety into Te Reo Māori!
Visibility creates awareness, and that is the first step toward enriching our knowledge of Te Reo Māori.
Our wider site signage is also undergoing a few additions that you'll see being rolled out across our neighbourhoods. Check out a few examples below of what you can expect to see.
This year’s Māori Language Week is particularly special with the 50th anniversary of the Māori Language Petition, and we’re excited to see what the next 50 years bring. Not only are common sayings now widely understood and used in Aotearoa, but there are also increasing numbers of people taking the opportunity to learn Te Reo through the many available free courses.
Check out these places for more information on starting your own journey in Te Reo Māori this year, most offer online courses as well as night classes:
- Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
- Unitec Institute of Technology
- Auckland University of Technology
- Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Noho ora mai
(Stay well)
Welcome to Māori Language Week! (13-19 Sep 2022) Join us to celebrate one of the most special weeks in the Aotearoa calendar.
This year is even more poignant a celebration because the 14th of September 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Māori Language Petition. This was a key step in the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori in New Zealand.
Enjoy some kōrero and pepeha from our Piritahi team members delivered in stunning Te Reo Māori in honour of this great milestone in our native language history.
Kia pai tō rā - have a good day.
What made you want to start learning Te Reo? I started my journey in Te Reo Māori through Piritahi and an archaeological discovery in Oranga. The Mana Whenua cultural monitoring representative, Jeff Lee, shared insight into the discovery, and what resonated with me was his message about bringing the kids from the local primary school to come and learn about it also. What struck me was that a lot of these kids were being raised in an area that they had no connection with, and by sharing this with them he hoped that it would give them a place of belonging. So for me, I have that as my ancestry but never embraced it or realised the value of belonging for me or my tamariki.
Where did you start?
It actually started through my wife, we both have different journeys but she was feeling that pull to get in touch with Te Ao Māori so enrolled at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and asked if I wanted to as well, which I did. We both completed our first year in 2021, something we were both pretty proud to have achieved together.
What have you learned?
There is a whole lot I have learned and a pretty long list, but one part of the journey that has been eye-opening was my first Kaiako who herself was very interested in the old ways that Māori lived and the myths and legends, which I got a really good dose of and also aligned with some aspects of my way of thinking and approach to different situations.
What are your goals in Te Reo?
Only just recently have I seen how diminished our Paepae is now, with our Kaumatua passing on, and with the knowledge of whaikōrero not being passed on (particularly in my Hapū). So for me working towards being able to sit on a Paepae, and whaikōrero not only representing my whānau but also in a professional capacity with Hick Bros and Piritahi. I do have to add though that there is some strong Iwi that represent well with their youth now whaikōrero and on the Paepae, it's so good to see.
How has learning Te Reo enriched you as a person? I think more so it has made me see some world views through a different lens, as my upbringing was not based around Māoridom, my journey thus far has made me more aware of who I am and where I have really come from, and to always be proud of my whakapapa and my people.
Any words of encouragement for Kiwis who want to learn Te Reo?
I would say for everyone and anyone to have a go, I love seeing our Piritahi people stand up and open and close the Hui with Karakia. For anyone who is attempting a language that isn’t their first, I take my hat off to them, especially Māori. It says to me that this is someone who is brave enough to try and also supports Te Reo Māori by giving it a go!
For those thinking to take up some formal education, get out and sign up as most of the courses are really friendly and fun as well! So Kia Kaha!
“I’ve been witnessing more people learning and giving it (Te Reo) a go, and that's the most important part, even if you can't pronounce something right.”
Sophia Olo-Whaanga, Social Responsibility Manager from Dempsey Wood Civil, joined us this week to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
Sophia is incredibly accomplished; among her many achievements, at Dempsey Wood she’s helped develop Māori and Tiriti o Waitangi policies, launched a Māori Leadership programme (Whakapuāwai), implemented Tikanga and Te Reo courses, and last year, won the ‘Change Maker Award’ at the NZ Sustainable Business Awards - mīharo! Amazing!
We at Piritahi are honoured to have such an esteemed wāhine toa share with us her views on Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
“Using Te Reo vocabulary in a casual conversation like ‘let’s go have a hui’ or ‘do the mahi get the treats’, things like that make Te Reo fun, and I think it’s really encouraging for others to see and hear that.”
Tino pai Sophia!
Omeka Takiari is a Machine Operator in our Delivery team based in Tāmaki.
In honour of Māori Language Week, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Omeka generously shares a bit about himself and his heritage in what is known as a pēpeha. He has also provided the English translation for those less familiar with Te Reo Māori.
Kia ora Omeka, ngā mihi nui.
Ben Edwards is a labourer in our delivery team based in Northcote.
In honour of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Ben generously shares a bit about himself and his heritage with a pepeha:
We've translated our Golden Rules for Safety into Te Reo Māori!
Visibility creates awareness, and that is the first step toward enriching our knowledge of Te Reo Māori.
Our wider site signage is also undergoing a few additions that you'll see being rolled out across our neighbourhoods. Check out a few examples below of what you can expect to see.
This year’s Māori Language Week is particularly special with the 50th anniversary of the Māori Language Petition, and we’re excited to see what the next 50 years bring. Not only are common sayings now widely understood and used in Aotearoa, but there are also increasing numbers of people taking the opportunity to learn Te Reo through the many available free courses.
Check out these places for more information on starting your own journey in Te Reo Māori this year, most offer online courses as well as night classes:
- Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
- Unitec Institute of Technology
- Auckland University of Technology
- Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
Noho ora mai
(Stay well)