Kāi Tahu Reo Awards 2026

E te tī, e te tā, ka rere kā mihi ki a koutou katoa.

The purpose of the Kāi Tahu Reo Awards 2026 is to celebrate and honour our stalwarts, those warriors and champions of te reo, to acknowledge those who are no longer here with us and to celebrate those who continue to lead the charge.

The awards will promote and celebrate the achievements and contributions of whānau, individuals, rūnaka and community groups to the revitalisation of te reo Māori within the Kāi Tahu takiwā. They aim to promote further engagement of iwi members and the wider community in language revitalisation and also create a sense of pride in what has been accomplished, to generate inspiration for others following in recipients’ footsteps. 

We are now calling for nominations for these awards. There are two sections to the awards. The first section calls for nominations for the following six categories:

Te Pā Harakeke – Whānau commitment and leadership in te reo
Taniwha Hikuroa - For contributions to Te Reo In the South Island
Te Tautōhito - Reo teacher of the year
Ruahine Crofts Award – Excellence in Composition
Mātātahi Matatū – Kāi Tahu Rakatahi Reo Warrior (15-25 years old)
Te Puna o te Kī – Kāi Tahu Kaumātua Reo Champion
Aoraki Matatū - Life time commitment to te reo in Kāi Tahu
One award winner will be selected from each category in this this section.

Te Pā Whakawairua – Kāi Tahu Papatipu Marae Reo Champions
The second section is open to our Papatipu Rūnaka to nominate their chosen Papatipu Marae Reo Champion, Te Pā Whakawairua.

This section could have a possible maximum number of 18 recipients, as each of the 18 Papatipu Rūnanga of Ngāi Tahu are able to nominate a recipient for this award.

Please refer to Category Criteria for an explanation on each category.

Nominations for awards are now open and will close Wednesday 11 November 2026. An official awards presentation ceremony will be held at the Ngāi Tahu Hui ā Iwi, Selwyn Sports Centre, Rolleston, on the evening of Saturday 21 November 2026.

NOMINATION FORM

Please fill out this nomination form and submit before 5pm, 11 November 2026.  

Please refer to Category Criteria for an explanation on each category.

KMK Reo Māori Awards 2015

In 2015, the KMK Reo Māori Awards were held at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

Ngāi Tahu Reo Māori Awards 2013

In 2013, the Ngāi Tahu Reo Māori Awards were held at Ōtākou Marae, in the then new whare kai, Hākuiao.

Ngāi Tahu Reo Māori Awards 2010

The In-augural Ngāi Tahu Reo Māori Awards were held at Ngā Hau E Whā Marae, Christchurch.  The awards were also a part of the 10 Year Celebrations of Kotahi Mano Kāika