Te kaupapa kua pae mai ki uta – This year’s theme

The theme for  Uhi Tai: Te Reo Māori in Business 2026 is ‘Ihu ki  te kei, we all have a part to play’. Inspired by the Māori proverb "Ihu ki te kei", the ihu refers to the nose or bow of a canoe, while the kei is the tail or stern. This proverb speaks to the idea that there's room for everyone on a canoe, and there are opportunities for everyone to contribute to the journey. 

From global technology platforms to national sporting bodies and leading Aotearoa brands, this year’s speakers will explore how te reo Māori is becoming a powerful force for identity, customer engagement and strategic growth. Speakers include;

Ruakere Hond - Te Reo Māori is everyone’s business  

Auckland Transport - Creating Momentum: Turning One Initiative into a Sustainable Reo Ecosystem  

Central Pulse Netball - Te Reo Māori: The Pulse of the Game 

Pic's Peanut Butter - Nuts about Te Reo: Spreading Te Reo Māori Through our Brand and what we learnt 

The Warehouse Group - Te Reo Māori as a Driver of Innovation in Product, Service and Design 

Dr Te Taka Keegan - AI: atua or aituā - How can businesses use AI with te reo Māori safely and authentically?   

Rangiata | Sky - From Sideline to Sofa: Carrying Te Reo Māori into Every Home with Sport  

Who is Uhi Tai for? 

Uhi Tai is for organisations, businesses, and individuals committed to making te reo Māori a natural part of everyday life. 

In 2026, we’re focusing on mainstream organisations. Maybe you’re looking for a starting point, or you are already off on your journey and need some inspiration to keep going. Uhi Tai is about encouraging everyone to embrace te reo Māori as Aotearoa’s national language and recognise the role we all play in its future. 

Te Reo Māori in Business 

Te reo Māori is the language of New Zealand, but we understand that it can be difficult to access and connect with, and doing so in business even more so. Uhi Tai is a chance to get your feet wet by hearing the stories of those who have walked that path to become authentic supporters of te reo Māori in their businesses and in their lives.   

Uhi Tai has been designed to be an entertaining, accessible and thought-provoking event, with discussion topics designed to make everyone want to take a dip.