Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission) has achieved triple recognition at the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) Awards.  

Its landmark campaign Ake Ake Ake – 50 years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori received a prestigious Gold Award for Marketing Communications, a Silver Award for Best Use of Digital and Social Media, and selection as a finalist for the coveted PRINZ Supreme Award. 

Reserved for Gold Award recipients, the Supreme Award recognises last year's most outstanding communications campaigns, placing Te Wiki o te Reo Māori among the best in Aotearoa. 

Te Taura Whiri Tumu Whakahaere, Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr, says at the very core of the campaign is a love for te reo Māori shared by communities and organisations across the country. 

“Last year’s campaign, and every Te Wiki before it, is our opportunity to show Aotearoa that te reo Māori is everyone’s language. 

“This recognition belongs to everyone who made the kaupapa their own – from whānau and schools, to workplaces, community groups, businesses, media and government agencies. Together, we turned an anniversary into a nationwide movement.” 

One of only twelve Gold Awards presented nationally, the Ake Ake Ake – 50 Years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori campaign is recognised for its strategic insight, creativity, execution and measurable impact.At the heart of the campaign was a strong digital strategy. Te Taura Whiri launched 50 Wero Reo Māori, fifty practical language challenges encouraging New Zealanders to weave te reo Māori into everyday life. 

The campaign also invited people to contribute messages, hopes and aspirations to Te Pūtahi Mahara, a digital time capsule to be opened in 2075. Safeguarded by the National Library of New Zealand, the collection preserves the voices of this generation as a taonga for those yet to come. 

These innovative digital initiatives helped earn the campaign a Silver Award in the Best Use of Digital and Social Media category, while its evidence-based approach saw it shortlisted for the Isentia Prize for Excellence in Research, Measurement and Evaluation. 

Māori Language Commissioner, Professor Rawinia Higgins, says the recognition reflected the vision and determination of generations who have championed te reo Māori. 

“Fifty years ago, courageous advocates fought to ensure te reo Māori would survive. Today, we are seeing that vision realised in homes, workplaces and communities throughout Aotearoa. 

“These awards recognise excellence in communications and are a tribute to each person in Aotearoa that contributes to the realisation of te reo Māori - whether it’s your first language or you’ve taken the first step on your journey.  

“Kia kaha te Reo Māori - Ake Ake Ake”.