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Te reo thriving at Unitec on 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

  • Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2025

16 September 2025

Our kaimahi and ākonga who will be engaging in a number of activities across both campuses this week

As the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of Māori Language Week, it is timely to reflect on the mahi of our kaimahi and ākonga who will be engaging in a number of activities across both campuses this week.

"The anniversary is hugely significant for Unitec as we acknowledge the dedication of those before us that has led us to a place now where our reo is thriving,” says Vivienne Merito, Taharangi, Director – Māori Success.
“What people might not know is we have over five hundred tauira coming into Unitec every week for Kura Pō (Maori Language Night Classes) – the demand is higher than ever.”

Kura Pō classes run three times a week from Monday to Wednesday at Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae. Every term, there are four cohorts of learners from beginner to full immersion levels.

The popularity of te reo Māori can be attributed to New Zealand's changing attitudes towards the language and its value within our society.

We also help Māori ākonga engage with their culture throughout their journey at Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka through the Whai Ake mentoring programme. This scholarship is awarded to up to 15 Māori ākonga annually and aims to provide a strong support system for Māori learners who are new to tertiary education. 

Whai Ake is about growing Māori student leadership capability and lifting Māori student academic success and retention overall in tertiary study.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is being observed from 14-20 September (Hepetema) 2025.

It is an annual event that celebrates and promotes te reo Māori as an official language of New Zealand.

This year's theme is "Ake ake ake" – A forever language.

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 half a century on.

staff and students participate at the 2024 manaaki whenua working bee

“It’s been amazing seeing our kaimahi come through and seeing their development over the years,” Ms Merito remarks.
“A big mihi to our Maia whānau for all their efforts bringing together some amazing activities to celebrate this week starting from our karakia (prayer) in Ngākau Māhaki on Monday morning.”
“To Sailauama Cheryl Talamaivao and our Waitākere whanau who have decked out Waitākere campus. I couldn't be more grateful to our collective whānau across the organization taking the journey that will see our reo florish for another 50 years. Kia kaha!”

Pae Arahi, Matua Hare Paniora says learning te reo is the key to understanding and is encouraging all kaimahi and ākonga to attend the activities that are taking place this week.
“Ko te reo  te taikura o te whakaaro mārama,” Matua Hare explains.
“Be an active participant in the activities for the week at for te reo Maori at Mt Albert and Waitakere campus. Mauri Ora!”

The programme kicked off on Monday morning with karakia in Ngākau Māhaki followed by a Kete Kirihou workshop held in MAIA and facilitated by kaimahi and alumna, Tonina Ngatai.

participants weave baskets at a kete kirhou workshop

Programme for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori at Unitec

Mt Albert campus

Monday (Rāhina) 15 September 2025
8:30am – Karakia – Building 178, Ngākau Māhaki
10am-2pm – Kete Kirihou Workshop, Building 180-1001, Maia space

Tuesday (Rātu) 16 September 2025
All Day – Kōrero Māori – Te Noho Kotahitanga marae
10am-2pm – Cafe Kōrero & Board Games – B177, Wharekai

Wednesday (Rāapa) 17 September 2025
12pm-1pm – Short Films Screening – B111, Ground Floor, Ngā Wai a te Tūī

Thursday (Rāpare) 18 September 2025
11am-1pm – Putiputi Harakeke Workshop – B177, Wharekai

Friday (Rāmere) 19 September 2025
8:30am-12pm – Manaaki Whenua Working Bee & Kai – B177, Wharekai

 

Waitākere campus

Wednesday (Rāapa) 17 September 2025
11am-1pm – Kīwaha & Kai: Say a Te Reo Māori Phrase and Have a Treat – Te Kākano, Level 2, 500-2032

Thursday (Rāpare) 18 September 2025
9am-4pm – Karakia Waiata, Poi & Badge Making, Kai and more! – Te Ipukura, Level 2, 500-2033

 

Learn more more about Unitec’s free Kura Pō (evening te reo Māori) classes.

Watch a video to hear from past Kura Pō ākonga (students).