Ngā Tohu Reo Māori is an annual flagship celebration, honouring the achievements of people who are making a notable contribution to the normalisation and revitalisation of te reo Māori.

Ngā Tohu Reo Māori is about uplifting the status of te reo Māori and acknowledging those who are bringing the vision to life, in community, the private sector, in academia, and throughout the country – kia mauriora te reo.

 

Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2026

This year’s Ngā Tohu Reo Māori event will take place on the evening of 29 October 2026 in Wellington.

 

Nominations are open now

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori is accepting nominations until 11:59pm Sunday 24 May 2026

Nominate Now!

 

The work you are nominating must have been completed, or mainly taken place, over the past 12 months. For all categories you can nominate either a person, group, kaupapa or an organisation. All nominations must be made via Award Force, the software we use to manage nominations and judging. 

The Awards

The award categories for Ngā Tohu Reo Māori were refreshed in 2025. They are now based on the five internationally recognised and key elements of language planning and revitalisation. The long-standing awards, Tū Rangatira (Supreme Award) and Tohu Oranga Angitu (Lifetime Achievement), remain. You can read more about the awards below.

Using te reo Māori in everyday life

This award celebrates community based kaupapa that have encouraged the use of te reo Māori as a normal, everyday, living language.

Championing te reo Māori learning

This award recognises individuals, groups or organisations who have inspired and motivated others to learn te reo Māori.

Supporting the richness of te reo Māori

This award acknowledges that hundreds of new words enter languages every year, and te reo Māori is no different, thanks to the talented people and innovative projects that create and promote them.

Uplifting te reo Māori

This award recognises kaupapa in the private sector that encourage people to support and value te reo Māori and see it as a key part of our national identity.

Promoting te reo Māori awareness

This award recognises outstanding efforts to ensure people are aware te reo Māori is endangered and understand how they can play a role in revitalising it.

Exemplifying leadership and outstanding advocacy for te reo Māori

This award recognises those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, going above and beyond in their commitment to championing te reo Māori.

This award celebrates outstanding individuals who have dedicated their lives to the revitalisation and normalisation of te reo Māori. Recipients of this award are nominated by the board of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. 

FAQs

Nominations will close at 11:59pm Sunday 24 May 2026.

If you have a nomination that has been submitted, you can delete your nomination from the main page in the application portal and submit a new one. If you application is in progress, you are able to make as many changes as you want up until the time it is submitted.

You can nominate your entry in every category for which meets the criteria. In fact we encourage you to do so.

You do not have to be Māori to make a nomination or be nominated. Te reo Māori is an official language of Aotearoa. The role of Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori is to support the normalisation and revitalisation of te reo Māori for all people of Aotearoa.

Ngā Tohu Reo Māori is open to all New Zealanders who are celebrating and supporting as champions for te reo Māori.

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori is focused on normalising and revitalising te reo Māori in Aotearoa. Therefore, nominations for Ngā Tohu Reo Māori should reflect the impact of work done in Aotearoa, or for the people of Aotearoa. Though nominees could be based elsewhere.

Not at this stage, however if tickets become available, we will share updates here.

I roto i ngā tau

Through the years

Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2025
Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2024
Ngā Kākā Kura o te Reo 2022
Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2020
Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2019

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

Māori Language Week

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