Whiua ki te ao, whiua ki te rangi, whiua ki Te Tairāwhiti!
Te Mātāwai, in partnership with Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, is proud to announce Gisborne as one of four Reo Towns leading this year's nationwide Te Wiki o te Reo Māori celebrations.
The announcement honours the legacy of the Māori Language Petition, presented to Parliament on 14 September 1972 by visionaries such as Ngā Tamatoa, Te Reo Māori Society, led by Te Ōuenuku Rene and Hana Te Hemara Jackson. Their determination helped spark a movement that transformed the future of te reo Māori in Aotearoa.
This year's Reo Town theme celebrates communities that have long championed te reo Māori, recognising those already leading the way while inspiring others to strengthen and normalise the language in everyday life.
As one of the country’s most vibrant centres of Māori culture and language, Te Tairāwhiti will launch its Te Wiki celebrations on Monday 14 September with a high-level kī-o-rahi tournament and community activation at Nelson Park, Gisborne.
Kī-o-rahi is a natural fit for the region. In 2024, Tūranga Wāhine Tūranga Tāne claimed the National Secondary Schools Kī-o-rahi title, highlighting the depth of talent and passion for the traditional Māori game across Te Tairāwhiti.
Mātai Smith, Te Mātāwai Hoa-Toihau and Chair of Te Pae Motuhake o Te Tairāwhiti says “Building on a game that local whānau, rangatahi and hapori already know and love provides an authentic way to bring the vision of Reo Towns to life. The sport also merges te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and Hauora, all of which contributes to the main outcomes of Te Mātāwai – Tukuihotanga, Hononga Hapori Reo and Oranga o te Whānau.”
The event will feature a $3,000 prize pool for kura placing first through to fourth, along with spot prizes and giveaways for tamariki, kaiako and members of the wider community.
Adding to the atmosphere, DJ CJ Houkamau will provide a mix of waiata Māori throughout the day, kai will be provided by Tūranga Health, and renowned broadcaster Mātai Smith will take on MC duties to keep everyone informed and entertained.
As Te Wiki o te Reo Māori begins, Gisborne looks forward to celebrating te reo Māori and encouraging its everyday use across kāinga, hapori and iwi.
ENDS
Notes to the editor:
To learn more, register for our webinar or download Te Wiki logos visit www.reomaori.co.nz/turanga-nui-a-kiwa
