Te Wiki o te reo Māori and more at Hastings facilities

Local tamariki and members of the public enjoyed the revelry of the performance of Te Kuia me te Pūngāwerewere at Functions on Hastings

While any day is the right day to begin your te reo learning journey, September and Te Wiki o te reo Māori offer some special opportunities and encouragement.

Hastings District Libraries’ te reo challenge, Karawhiua!, is back again this year and runs all month, as does Mahuru Māori.

Councillor Ana Apatu says the Karawhiua challenge is a programme that also supports Hastings District Council’s Heretaunga Ararau Te Reo Māori Action Plan.

“Karawhiua is a set of 12 reo Māori challenges aimed at everyone. Karawhiua means to ‘give it heaps’ or ‘give it a go’ which is our kīwaha (saying) of encouragement to our communities.”

To take part in Karawhiua simply register online or at the library, complete a challenge, record it using the online reporting form or check in with staff. The more challenges people complete, the more chances they have to win prizes.

The kaupapa of Heretaunga Ararau is that everyone feels supported in learning and using te reo Māori and to support the revitalisation of the language within Hastings district.

“We have a few staff also taking part in Mahuru Māori this month, with one library staffer taking on the challenge to speak te reo Māori only for two hours each day.”

Meanwhile, Toitoi - Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre has celebrated Te Wiki o te reo Māori with two days of the performance Te Kuia me te Pūngāwerewere, presented by Taki Rua – entirely in te reo Māori.

Inspired by the beloved children's story The Kuia and the Spider by Patricia Grace, Functions on Hastings has been filled with laughter as pre-school and younger primary school tamariki and their whānau enjoyed the antics of the kuia and her relationship with Pūpai the spider.

And at Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga - Hastings Art Gallery, every day is a chance to experience te reo Māori with all exhibition texts being bilingual, and a free, handy phrasebook always available at the counter for all visitors.

Hastings District Council acknowledges the importance and significance of te reo Māori as a taonga (treasure) protected under the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) and within the spirit of the Act the Council endorses the right of staff to use te reo Māori.

To learn more about Karawhiua and to register for the challenge go to www.hastingslibraries.co.nz

12 September 2023

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