Woolworths New Zealand - supporting rangatahi to succeed
Woolworths is one of the leading retailers in Aotearoa New Zealand, serving more than 3 million customers every week. Woolworths is focused on giving customers the very best in choice, value and convenience, while keeping social and environmental responsibilities top of mind.
Te reo Māori is woven into the everyday shopping experience at Woolworths. Departments have Māori and English names, customers can use te reo at the self- checkout in-store, and te reo is seen and heard in both internal and external communications.
Every year, during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Woolworths celebrates with customers and team. This includes incorporating more Māori language into their advertising, online shopping platforms and in-store radio. Woolworths team join in on the fun through singing waiata, ‘giving it a go’ on social media and sharing traditional Māori kai.
Woolworths already supports youth through initiatives such as their Growing for Good grants and regular fundraising for RainbowYOUTH, so sponsoring the Rangatahi award for Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2024 was a natural fit.
The Rangatahi award acknowledges youth, or youth led kaupapa that promote the normalisation of te reo Māori. In 2024 it was awarded to Ngā Tapuwae a -Taraika, a youth-led tourism venture developed by students of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna.
Woolworths New Zealand General Manager of Supply Chain Development Anita Smith presented the award on the night, and said “sharing in the experience of the evening and observing the mahi our youth are influencing in bringing Te Reo Māori into our everyday life in our everyday connections and for all, is simply beautiful and empowering”.
Te Taura Whiri was honoured to work with Woolworths New Zealand and look forward to continuing to work together to promote te reo Māori as an everyday language.