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A one in a million moment

June 7, 2023

Celebrate with waiata, kōrero, tākaro, pānui, ako, me whakarongo. Join the Māori Language Moment – be part of the journey to reach a million speakers by 2040!

On this same day at the same time,14 September 12pm in 1972, a petition with 30 000 signatures collected by the influential group, Ngā Tamatoa, was delivered to parliament. This called for te reo to be actively recognised and taught in schools, a significant moment in the revival of te reo.  Māori Language Day was started that same year and in 1975 it was extended to Māori Language Week,  part of a broad Māori language revival programme to raise awareness for Māori language learning and public usage. Mahuru Māori (Māori September) began in 2017 to promote the use of te reo Māori throughout September. For practical ideas and resources to use te reo at home, school or workplaces visit Te Wiki o te reo Māori

1972 petition to introduce te reo Māori in schools                                                                                                                                 Image source