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. 

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.