"Kia Kaha te Reo Taiao" a new learning resource in partnership with the Department of Conservation
The Māori Language Commission and the Department of Conservation have come together to produce a beautiful new learning resource ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Taiao’ in celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2018.
This is the first partnership of its kind between the two Crown agencies, who made the decision to collaborate when an overlap in their two flagship campaigns was identified.
Included in the booklet is information about pronunciation, everyday phrases and species names in te reo Māori. It also covers astronomy, freshwater, marine, flora, fauna, and outdoor safety.
DOC’s Strategic Partnerships Director, Joe Harawira, says working together makes sense when you look at what is at the heart of both campaigns.
“Te reo Māori is the foundation of Te Ao Māori, and the Department of Conservation recognises the notion of kaitiakitanga as crucial to the giving of voice to nature and to the natural world: te ao tūroa. “
“The vulnerability of both te reo Māori and the voices of the environment draws an important parallel to our commitment to work together on this.”
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori runs from 10-16 September this year, with the theme ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’
Māori Language Commission Chief Executive, Ngahiwi Apanui, says “‘Kia Kaha’ is well known in New Zealand English with its correct Māori meaning of ‘be strong’.
“We often talk about languages as if they are people – talking about language health, strength, and revitalisation. So when we say ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’ we’re saying - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong”.
Conservation Week takes place 15-23 September, and has four themes: Flora, Fauna, Marine and Freshwater, which are the four main themes of the ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Taiao’ learning resource.
You can get your free ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Taiao’ booklet at any one of the parades being run during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, or you can pop into your local DOC visitor centre or download one here.