News | 8 September 2023
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Friday Five: Celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

Celebrate Aotearoa’s indigenous language throughout Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – a week dedicated to nurturing the vibrancy of te reo Māori. Check out some of the special events and activities happening around the city.

Group of Kapa Haka performers.

1. Te Hui Ahurei Reo Māori o Te Whanganui-a-Tara 

MONDAY 11 – SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER
By popular demand, Te Hui Ahurei Reo Māori o Te Whanganui-a-Tara is returning this year with a new programme of events throughout Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. This Festival celebrates and showcases te reo Māori through the arts. Find out more and see the event programme.

2. Ngā Kapa Haka o Te Matatini 

SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER | 2PM & 6:30PM | MICHAEL FOWLER CENTRE 
As part of Te Hui Ahurei Reo Māori o Te Whanganui-a-Tara, there will be two of the best kapa haka groups in the world headlining the festival. In collaboration with Te Matatini, the 2023 joint second-place winners Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti and finalists Angitu will perform their distinctive style of haka at the Michael Fowler Centre. Tickets can be purchased here

3. Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori |Māori Language Moment  

THURSDAY 14 SEPTEMBER | 12 NOON
People from all corners of Aotearoa and beyond are welcomed to pause their daily activities and take part in Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori - Māori Language Moment, to acknowledge the time and date Te Petihana Reo Māori (The Māori Language Petition) was submitted to Parliament in 1972. Kōrero (speak), waiata (sing), pānui (read) - whatever you choose to do, make it resonate with the beauty of te reo Māori. 

Learn more or sign up to Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori here

4. Kura Huna

UNTIL MONDAY 9 OCTOBER | 77–97 COURTENAY PLACE
Kura Huna is the current Courtenay Place Light Boxes exhibition, in response to Matariki, by the tauira (students) of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna, mentored by Te Whanganui-a-Tara based artists Shannon Te Ao (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Wairangi, Pāpaka-a-Māui) and Hendrix Hennessy-Ropiha (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa). Experience this outdoor exhibition any time of day.  

4. Toi Pōneke Gallery Exhibition ‘He Rito’ 

UNTIL FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER
Woven together by their shared interest in the active potential of harakeke, the hands of four ringatoi explore the material through customary and contemporary practice. He Rito, by Māori artists Matt Tini, Maija Stephens, Renati Waaka, and Elena Rei, integrates whanaungatanga and reclamation, reconnecting with taonga and imagining expansive futures of māoritanga. 

Not able to make it to an event? Give te reo Māori a go any day and anywhere with Mahau, a free, easy-to-use, interactive app to help people get started on their te reo journey. 

Watch out each Friday for a fun list of five great activities to do, places to explore, or things to discover in our awesome city.