Rotorua is inviting locals and visitors to make te reo Māori part of everyday life for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, 14 to 20 September 2026, and beyond.
Led by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) and Te Mātāwai, Te Reo Towns encourages towns and cities of all sizes to showcase te reo Māori in the places we live, work, and connect every day.
Te Mātāwai Co-Chair and Poutaki of Te Pae Motuhake o Te Arawa Waka, Ruakiri Fairhall says Rotorua is a proud Tāone Reo Māori and became the first bilingual town in Aotearoa in 2017.
"Te reo Māori flourishes when it is spoken in our homes, workplaces, schools and communities. We want Te Wiki o te Reo Māori to bring more reo Māori to our eyes, ears, and hearts, but the real success comes when people continue using it long after the week has ended.
“Through everyday interactions, we're helping create a Hawaiki Mokopuna future where our tamariki inherit a living, thriving language. Kia Pūhaorangi anō te reo," Ruakiri says.
A morning coffee could be your first reo opportunity from 7am to 8.30am at Rumaki Café. As part of Kawhe Kōrero, enjoy a $2 coffee, learn everyday reo Māori phrases, play games and immerse yourself in a te reo Māori-speaking environment. Kai will also be available to purchase for those wanting to stay a little longer and continue the kōrero.
Step into the history of Rotorua with Kōrero Hītori, a series of guided sessions throughout the week. Explore Te Koura Māwhitiwhiti on Monday from 10am to 11am, Ōhinemutu on Wednesday, and Te Whakarewarewa on Friday from 9am to 10am. Participants will hear local stories, learn the correct pronunciation of place names, and deepen their understanding of the cultural significance of these iconic locations.
Move your tinana and exercise your reo at Kaupapa Whakapakari, held at the Village Green from 12pm to 1pm on Tuesday and Thursday. This is a combination of fitness ā-tinana (for the body) and ā-reo (for the language), incorporating te reo Māori instructions and vocabulary related to health, exercise and wellbeing.
Whānau and manuhiri of all ages can head to The Arts Village from 10.30am to 11.30am, Tuesday to Friday, where there will be a range of family-friendly activities including tākaro, tītī tōrea, tī rākau and more. Open to everyone, these interactive sessions offer a fun and engaging way to connect with te reo Māori through play and shared learning.
The celebrations continue Thursday evening with Te Pō Mākete in Rotorua's city centre. From 5pm onwards, local artists and emerging talent will take to the stage to celebrate Māori performing arts, music and language. Enjoy free kai from the Rumaki team while getting amongst the fun.
To find an interactive map, download logos and to get full event details visit www.reomaori.co.nz/rotorua.
Image captured by The Arts Village Rotorua
