Did you know that this year marks 50 years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori?
It has a been a long journey for this beautiful language; from being marginalised and supressed to being celebrated across the motu. As libraries, we see the importance of uplifting one of our official languages and encouraging all kiwis to learn a little te reo. Te Wiki o te Reo Māori has become a vital part of our library calendar and we have some exciting activities on offer this year.
Seeing as our Quiz Night went so well last year, we're bringing it back for round 2! This year, we will be hosting two quizzes: one at Morrinsville Library and one at Matamata Library. There will be prizes for the winning team plus spot prizes throughout the evening and some tasty nibbles. All ages are welcome.
In an effort to focus more on encouraging people to speak te reo, we are also offering a crash course in te reo at each of our libraries. This short session will be focussed on teaching you how to deliver a pepeha - a way of introducing yourself and your background in te reo Māori. These classes will be led by Tuatahi Nightingale-Pene, our Pou Tūhono (Iwi Relationship Manager); Tayla Bamber, our Kai-whakahaere ā Tūhono (Relationship Advisor); and Crystal Isaacs, a student at Waikato University who is currently doing her Bachelor of Arts in Te Reo Māori and Māori Indigenous Studies. All ages are welcome.
Neither the quiz nor the pepeha classes will incur a cost.
Here are the times and dates you need to know!
- Quiz Night at Morrinsville Library: Monday 15 September, 7-9pm
- Click here to register your team
- Quiz Night at Matamata Library: Friday 19 September, 7-9pm
- Click here to register your team
- Learn your pepeha at Morrinsville Library: Monday 15 September, 1-2pm
- Learn your pepeha at Matamata Library: TBA
- Learn your pepeha at Te Aroha Library: TBA
