It is not always easy to get organisations and institutions to buy into Maori Language week. This year Countdown has taken a proactive role promoting te reo Māori during Māori Language week in all Countdown, Foodtown and Woolworths stores.
This has been described by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori as perhaps one of the most significant Māori language initiatives by a corporate entity since the Māori language was made an official language in 1987.
Maori Language Week was also marked in different ways in each of the dioceses. In Wellington, staff at the Catholic Centre were encouraged to make a special effort this week use te reo Māori. Suggestions included
- Using Maori phone greetings
- Learning ways of addressing groups and individuals
- Using Maori phrases in letters and other written correspondence,
- Learning the and correct pronunciation of common words
A free te reo Maori class was offered at lunch time and information was provided on other classes available around Wellington. Prayer resources were provided and all staff members were invited to attend Maori Masses this weekend. They were also given information about local events marking Maori Language Week and there were resources such as posters, stickers and national anthem words available at the centre.
The Maori Language Commission have chosen “Manaakitanga” as the theme for Māori Language Week 2011.
“At its core manaakitanga is about how we make people feel welcome when they are in our company, and how we give regard to and care for others when hosting visitors”, says chief executive, Glenis Philip-Barbara.
Source
- Stuff.co.nz
- Communications NZCBC
- Countdown
- Image: Tangatawhenua.com
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News category: New Zealand.
