School an impetus: principal
By Nelson Mail, 23/01/2012
A new Maori language immersion school in Richmond will lead a revitalisation of the language in the top of the south, its new principal says.
The school, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tuia te Matangi, is expected to open to pupils in term three, with construction now under way.
On Saturday, newly appointed principal Merita Waitoa-Paki met with parents and the board at a hui at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Nelson campus.
Ms Waitoa-Paki was the deputy principal at Maori immersion school Kura Whakapumau in Christchurch, the first kura in the South Island, founded 15 years ago.
She said it was exciting to be able to go from one of the oldest kura to becoming a part of the country's newest immersion school.
"This is an opportunity to be different and be creative and innovative in how we develop our language."
Kura produced confident young Maori leaders, and many of those who graduated from the kura had gone on to excel in tertiary study and in society, she said.
The new facility offered Nelson a chance to revolutionise its connection with the Maori language and culture, she said. "There needs to be a revitalisation in the language in Nelson. A culture must have a language and our language is Maori.
"How can you try to identify who you are if you don't have your native tongue?"
Parents Missy Broughton and Kim Hippolite were looking forward to sending their two children to the kura.
Ms Broughton said the project had been a long time coming, and it was great to see it nearly completed.
"For me coming from a family with no education in Te Reo Maori, for my children to learn what I have missed out on is huge."
Mr Hippolite said the creation of the school would mean the region would finally have Maori native speakers again.
"I didn't grow up with a Maori language, to give my children an opportunity to learn the Maori language first has been my goal.
"It's going to be a huge impact for us. This is the re-birth of our language."
Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tuia te Matangi board of trustees member Dayveen Stephens said about 35 pupils were registered already, most for the kura kaupapa (junior school) and three for the wharekura (senior school).
The kura will eventually cater for pupils from years 1 to 13, and will be open to students of any ethnicity.
Push-ups await slips of tongue
By Timaru Herald, 17/01/2012
'It was their choice of what we would do'
Families are converging on Arowhenua Maori School this week in a bid to break down the te reo language barrier.
Dozens of adults and children will spend the week at the Arowhenua school and marae building working on their te reo in the hope of keeping the language alive for future generations.
Manuhaea O'Regan, aged eight, is one of them. Te reo is her first language. The youngster, who will return to a te reo immersion unit at Woolston School in Christchurch this term, is one of 110 people building on their language skills this week.
She added a word to her vocabulary yesterday: pioneone (push-ups), which is what children or teachers in her class have to do if they speak English during lessons.
Educator Komene Cassidy said the children had come up with the idea in the hope it would encourage them to spend more time speaking te reo than English.
"It was their choice of what we would do."
Arohatia te Reo theme for Māori Language Week 2012
Press Release: Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission) celebrates 25 years of existence in 2012 and to celebrate have chosen Arohatia te Reo as the theme for Māori Language Week 2012.
Arohatia te Reo, as a brand, means to cherish the language and our intention through using this brand is to provide a means by which people of all walks of life can demonstrate their love and regard for the language.
"It's always a challenge designating a theme for Māori Language Week that everyone can relate too, however we're pretty confident that whether you're a priest, a business executive, a Mum, a student or a fire-fighter, or anything else for that matter – you'll be able to identify with this theme and find a way to express your love for the language", says Chief Executive, Glenis Philip-Barbara.
"Certainly the success of this year's theme manaakitanga, and the feedback about its appropriateness considering our role as host for the Rugby World Cup was a factor in selecting Arohatia te Reo as a theme for next year", says Glenis Philip-Barbara.
"As always Māori Language Week is a time for people to use and speak the language whether that's taking the time to learn, or, using the language you have more often. This year we expect this theme presents a golden opportunity for individuals, schools, groups, organisations, businesses, corporates and government departments to express all the ways you might honour, use, speak and love the language."
"Of course the challenge for us is extending the goodwill and support that Māori Language Week generates, across the whole year, so over the next few months, we, along with our partners Te Puni Kōkiri and the Human Rights Commission will be approaching other public sector organisations and corporate entities to participate and contribute to Māori Language Week 2012 celebrations and the Māori language in a more concerted manner".
Māori Language Week dates occur in the second week of the third school term i.e. 23-29 July 2012.
For more information on Māori Language Week you can contact Debra Jensen on 4716725, or refer to the website www.koreromaori.co.nz
