Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2019

A couple who have dedicated their lives to the revitalisation of the Māori language and a music icon whose actions led to New Zealanders now singing the national anthem in te reo and English received top honours at the 16th Ngā Tohu Reo Māori, National Māori Language Awards in Auckland.

“‘Miria te pounamu piata ana: polish pounamu till the brilliance shines through’ is a whakatauki that perfectly reflects the work, dedication and courage demonstrated by our Māori language champions,” said Māori Language Commissioner, Professor Rawinia Higgins.

“Their achievements are precious, brilliant and need to be constantly polished so that all of us can learn by their incredible examples of leadership and service to our people. They honour us with their foresight and leadership.”

This year more than 150 te reo initiatives from a wide range of communities and sectors nominated, more than ever before.

Waiata Anthems | Universal Music New Zealand and Raukatauri Productions

Hinewehi Mohi’s ‘Waiata Anthems’ album wins the 2019 supreme award – marking 20-years since the musician’s historic singing of the national anthem in Māori before an All Black test match.

“Hinewehi Mohi’s decision to sing the anthem in Māori now means New Zealand’s national anthem is sung in te reo as well as English: from All Black tests to schools, to town halls, to parliament. This wahine toa songstress helped change Aotearoa.” said Māori Language Commissioner, Professor Rawinia Higgins.

In the future we will look back on the road to revitalisation and see that day as the time Māori language broke through to become a key marker of our national identity.

“This is reflected in the Waiata Anthems concept: singers of all backgrounds transforming their own songs into te reo Māori”.

This award is sponsored by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

Te Tohu Oranga Angitu Lifetime Achievement

Educators, leaders and te reo exponents, Rahera and Te Waihoroi Shortland were named as joint winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rāhera Shortland of Ngapuhi has had a long career teaching te reo Maori at secondary level. She established the first Maori language total immersion unit in a secondary school, at Auckland Girls' Grammar. She chairs Te Ataarangi Educational Trust.

The award also recognises Waihoroi Shortland’s long advocacy and practice of te reo Māori as a Ngāti Hine leader, as a broadcaster, actor and inaugural chair of the Māori language revitalisation agency Te Mātāwai.

“As a couple and each in their own right, Rahera and Waihoroi Shortland’s Māori language revitalisation work will impact on generations of New Zealanders. They have served our communities in classrooms and boardrooms, from the big screen to the kapa haka stage: their legacy is one of service and mana,” said Professor Higgins.

Proudly sponsored by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori