Te Reo Māori Takes the Winter Olympic Stage
Building on the success of the world-first bilingual glossary Te Reo Māori ki Parī, Te Kapa o Aotearoa (The New Zealand Team) will once again take te reo Māori to the global stage, this time at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
‘Te Reo Māori ki Mirāno Kotīna 2026’ is the second edition of the Māori–English Olympic sports glossary that extends te reo Māori into the unique disciplines, environments, and moments that define the Winter Games. From ice and snow to speed and endurance, this resource reflects the evolving language of high-performance sport through a Māori worldview.
Through the ongoing partnership between Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission), the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Rangiata Sky, te reo Māori continues to be celebrated, heard, and used in one of the world’s most visible and unifying events.
New Zealand Olympic Committee Chief Executive Nicki Nicol says the resource is about more than words.
“This resource strengthens the connection between our Winter Olympians and Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s about identity, pride and the values that unite us on the world stage,” Nicki said.
She adds that cultural preparation has been weaved throughout the team’s build up.
“The Winter Wānanga in Māwhera (Greymouth) was the powerful first step in preparing our athletes culturally as well as physically, followed by workshops and haka practice. Te Reo Māori ki Mirāno Kotīna builds on that journey, ensuring our team carries the spirit of home into every moment of competition.”
This glossary showcases the names of all sports on the Winter Olympic Programme and goes deeper into the five core sports New Zealand athletes are aiming to compete in at Milano Cortina, building on the 30 sports from Te Reo Māori ki Parī and more than 1000 words and phrases created for Paris 2024. This glossary lays the groundwork for future editions that will include an even broader range of winter sports.
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori Chief Executive Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr says by creating new terms for winter sports, we affirm te reo Māori’s place in every corner of life, including the global sporting arena.
“The kupu and kīanga created for 'Te Reo Māori ki Mirāno Kotīna' showcases just how dynamic te reo Māori is. Seeing and hearing our indigenous language used on the ice in Italy or from the couch in Aotearoa, this kaupapa is about normalising the language. Te reo Māori continues to grow and adapt, helping us to articulate the evolving world around us,” Ngahiwi said.
“Te reo Māori connects us all as New Zealanders. By using our language to celebrate the Winter Olympics, we strengthen our collective ties to Aotearoa while sharing our unique identity with the world.”