Māori Language Week

In 2022, thousands of New Zealanders gathered to mark 50 years since Te Pētihana (the Māori Language Petition) was presented on the steps of parliament.

Now in 2025, the nation will be celebrating again, this time for the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week). Te Wiki takes place from 14 – 20 September 2025.

Born of activism, the week grew from a single ‘Māori Language Day’ set up in 1972. The seeds of a full week dedicated to te reo Māori were planted in 1974. By 1975 Te Wiki had found its footing and was off! Its growth and gains are what we celebrate 50 years on.

In that half-century, te reo Māori has moved from the margins to the mainstream. From silence in our schools, to strength in our kura. From homes where te reo was once suppressed, to communities where it now flourishes. From the protests of Ngā Tamatoa, to the pledges of government, iwi, and whānau. This anniversary marks not just 50 years of a campaign, but 50 years of transformation.

Kia kaha te reo Māori

‘Kia kaha’ is well understood in New Zealand English with its meaning of ‘be strong’. We often talk about languages as if they are people – especially when we are talking about a language’s health, strength and revitalisation.

So when we say ‘Kia kaha te reo Māori’ we’re saying - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'.

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From parades to an online gathering

Te Wiki has become a fixture on our national calendar — a celebration for all New Zealanders. It has gone from a mainly Māori audience and radio jingles in the 70s, protest marches in the 80s, ad campaigns and bilingual weather reports in the 90s, to ‘arohatia te reo’, the hei tiki and parades for all New Zealanders in the 2000s. Te Wiki has birthed the translation of a beloved home-grown chocolate bar’s name and an online Māori-moment for 1 million people during a pandemic. Community by community, Te Wiki has grown stronger each year.

While Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission) now leads Te Wiki, Māori Language Week was already taking the country by storm more than a decade before Te Taura Whiri was created, and before te reo Māori was made an official language. Both occurred in 1987.

So, on this 50th anniversary, take a moment to reflect on the achievements of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and all who have fought for the language - every week, every month and every year. Recommit to the dream that te reo Māori will be a normal part of everyday life in Aotearoa – heard, spoken and loved by all.

Kia kaha te reo Māori. Ake ake ake.