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Source: Auckland Council

Local board members are gearing up to take part in Te Wiki o te Reo Māori from 13-19 September.

Franklin Local Board will start its weekly workshop – which will be held online during COVID-19 restrictions – with a karakia led by member Logan Soole, Ngāti Kahu and Te Rarawa.

Board chair Andy Baker says it’s appropriate Soole, one of New Zealand’s youngest elected councillors, lead the karakia.

“Logan has been active in helping members with their own te reo and has also championed our Tuia mentoring programme, working alongside our candidate Atea Kahukoka, Ngāti Te Ata, who has shared her own valuable insights with many others associated with council.”

The Tuia programme enables a rangatahi Māori to be mentored in council and board activities to develop their leadership potential, and to share their own knowledge and insights. Kahukoka will help board members during Māori Language Week by advising them how to improve their te reo pronunciation.

Whakataka te hau

Whakataka te hau ki te uru

Whakataka te hau ki te tonga

Kia mākinakina ki uta

Kia mātaratara ki tai

Kia hī ake ana te ata kura

He tio,he huka, he hauhu

Tīhei mauri ora!          

“As a board we want to show our respect for te reo by actively taking part,” Soole, says.

“Saying a karakia is a simple way to uphold tikanga because karakia is integral to Māori ritual. It uses traditional language aimed at increasing the spiritual goodwill of gatherings of all types, and this particular karakia can be seen as an appeal to be prepared for whatever comes.”

Get ready for the westerly

And be prepared for the southerly

It will be icy cold inland

and bitterly cold on the shore

May the dawn rise red-tipped

With ice, snow and frost

Let there be life!

Ideas to participate in Te Wiki o te Reo Māori are here. Read what Justice Joe Williams had to say  about the significance of Whakataka te hau here [PDF].

MIL OSI