Finalists in the Māori Language Commission’s 15th Ngā Tohu Reo Māori, the National Māori Language Awards, have been announced.

36 finalists have been selected from more than 150 nominations, the highest number received since the awards began in 2004. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by the Commission and will be held at Te Papa on 23 November.

Māori Language Commission Chief Executive Ngahiwi Apanui says the awards are an important event in the Māori language calendar and as well as recognising initiatives and activities which took place during the year, are also an opportunity to acknowledge long-term commitment by individuals and groups to Māori language revitalisation.

“This year’s theme was ‘Kia kaha te reo Māori’: ‘May the Māori language be strong’. These finalists show that yes, it is strong!”.

Categories this year include awards for individuals and groups, including arts and entertainment, education, business, media and broadcasting.

Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2018 - Finalists

Iwi

Muriwai Maggie Jones
Paraone Gloyne
Te Rūnanga o Rangitāne o Wairau
Kaitautoko Māori Television | Sponsor Māori Television 

Whānau

Oti te Nanekoti - Te Tāhuhu o Te Mātauranga
Kaitautoko Te Papa | Sponsor Te Papa

Rangatahi | Youth      

Mahuru Māori - Fortnite - Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Fly - Māori Television Giphy Channel
Rāhiri Wharerau and Wātene Campbell - Te Tauihu - Kaupapa Here te reo Māori Ambassadors
Kaitautoko Vodafone | Sponsor Vodafone

Takitahi | Individual
   
Kōrerotia Cory Ratahi
Lillian Hanly
Mike Hollings
Kaitautoko Toi Aotearoa | Sponsor Creative New Zealand

Mātauranga – Kaupapa Māori | Education – Māori Medium 
        
Mindfulness Movement
Taringa Punua Pāoho - Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Kaitautoko Te Tāhuhu o Te Mātauranga | Sponsor Ministry of Education

Mātauranga – Whānui | Education – Open  

Kōrero Mai Trilingual Books
Mahuru Māori - Fortnite - Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood Education
Kaitautoko Te Tāhuhu o Te Mātauranga | Sponsor Ministry of Education

Kāwanatanga | Government 

Environmental Protection Authority
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Te Amorangi ki mua, Te Hāpai Ō ki muri - Rotorua Lakes Council
Kaitautoko Te Pūni Kōkiri | Sponsor Ministry of Māori Development

Pakihi | Business 
       
Fush Uka - Anton Matthews
Tauhoko - Trade Me
Te Mātāpuna - Fonterra
Kaitautoko Vodafone | Sponsor Vodafone

Te Mahi Toi, Te Mahi Whakangahau | Arts and Entertainment      

Mahuru Māori - Fortnite - Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Oti te Nanekoti - Te Tāhuhu o Te Mātauranga
We Bare Bears - Kiwa Digital
Kaitautoko Te Matatini | Sponsor Te Matatini

Ngā Mahi Pāpāho | Broadcasting and Media  
        
Mahuru Māori - Fortnite - Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau -Te Waipounamu - Maui TV Productions
Sky TV - Tiki Towns
Kaitautoko Te Māngai Pāho | Sponsor Māori Broadcasting Funding Agency

Ngā Hapori Māori | Māori Community    
     
Peka Peka ki Ōtaki - Fletcher Construction
Dr Te Taku Parai
Tūranga FM
Kaitautoko Te Puni Kōkiri | Sponsor Ministry of Māori Development

Aotearoatanga | New Zealand Community

Kōrero Māori - Te Hiku Media
Te Puna o Te Ao Mārama Trust
This Is Me - Fly 
Kaitautoko Manatū Taonga | Sponsor Ministry for Culture & Heritage

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week 
    
Hīkoi Reo Māori - Whangārei - Te Kura Taitamawāhine o Whangārei
Kupu App – Spark & Te Aka Māori Dictionary
South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services

Kaitautoko Māori Television | Sponsor Māori Television

Te Tohu Huia te Reo | Supreme       

Ka pānuitia te toa Huia Te Reo ā te pō.
The winner of the Supreme Award is to be announced on the night.

Kaitautoko Te Wānanga o Aotearoa | Sponsor Te Wānanga o Aotearoa


Ngā Tohu Kairangi | Special Commendations          

Ka pānuitia ngā toa Tohu Kairangi ā te pō.

The winners of Special Commendation Awards are to be announced on the night.

Kaitautoko Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori | Sponsor Māori Language Commission


Te Tohu Oranga Angitu | Lifetime Achievement     

Ka pānuitia te toa Tohu Oranga Angitu ā te pō.
The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award is to be announced on the night.

Kaitautoko Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori | Sponsor Māori Language Commission