Source: Te Matawai
Te reo o te kāinga, hore he painga!
Te Mātāwai, in partnership with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, is excited to promote Kaikohe as one of our four Reo Towns championing Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori celebrations this year.
This year’s ‘Tāone Reo Māori’ theme shines a light on towns and communities as key drivers of te reo Māori revitalisation.
Kaikohe, or Te Kaikohekohe, sits in the heart of Ngāpuhi, with its community maintaining a strong connection to te reo Māori through transmission of tikanga and whakapapa, and more importantly, through its unwavering commitment to te mita o Te Tai Tokerau.
Te Wiki project lead and Poutoko Reo for Te Kura Kapapa Māori o Kaikohe, Kīngi Rākete-Tane says te reo Māori is celebrated every day in this town.
“Whether it’s the local cafe, the fish and chip shop, the papa tākaro or the grocery store, te reo Māori is seen and heard everywhere.”
“Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is a chance for us to acknowledge the existing mahi of our community to support the revitalisation of te reo Māori – not only within Kaikohe but across Te Tai Tokerau,” he shares.
On Wednesday 16 September, Kaikohe will take te reo Māori to the streets with a hīkoi from Northland College to Papa Hawaiki.
Celebrations at Papa Hawaiki will include 1,000 free hāngi, giveaways and live entertainment by MC Awatea Wīhongi.
If you’re in Te Tai Tokerau during Te Wiki, set aside your Wednesday and come join the celebrations in Kaikohe.