Hawaiki strategy provides guiding stars for reo revitalisation

Socialising our new te reo Māori strategic vision is a key focus for Te Mātāwai this year, with engagement underway with our Pae Motuhake reo champions and Māori communities.  

Our Te Mātāwai Statement of Intent (SoI) 2024-27 was presented at three Hui Rautaki (investment strategy planning days), with the Māori Affairs Select Committee and at our recent annual hui-ā-motu, Komiti Kaha, earlier this month.  

The new strategy is illustrated through a waka journey to Hawaiki Tipuna in 2027, with the future destination for reo revitalisation being Hawaiki Mokopuna in 2040.  

Hawaiki Mokopuna is described as, “a time and space where whānau are healthy, strong and empowered to fulfil their dreams and aspirations, where te reo Māori is safe and intergenerational transmission is uninterrupted.”  

A core change since our last Statement of Intent (2021-24) the shift from five focus areas to two key priorities: Tukuihotanga – deliberate intergenerational transmission, and Hononga Hapori Reo – connecting language speaker groups. This strategic shift enables Te Mātāwai to realign our outputs with the long-term goals of the Maihi Māori, first, and the Whare goal- kia mauriora te reo.  

Co-chairs Bernie O’Donnell and Reikura Kahi say the new SoI will help keep us on track as we navigate the coming years, while also acknowledging how far we’ve come together.  

“Te Mātāwai is a partner first and foremost, with outright authority to protect te reo on behalf of iwi and communities Māori who clearly assert that Māori are leaders of Māori language revitalisation.” 

“By drawing on our collective wisdom and strength we will continue to set a clear path to achieving ‘Kia ūkaipō anō te reo’ and ‘Kia reo mauri ora,” say Co-Chairs Bernie O’Donnell and Reikura Kahi. 

 You can view our new Statement of Intent 2024 -2027 here: Corporate Documents | Te Mātāwai (tematawai.maori.nz)(external link)