Thu Sep 12 06:21:45 UTC 2024: ## Waihōpai Rūnaka Hosts Week-Long Māori Language Celebration

**Invercargill, New Zealand** – The Waihōpai Rūnaka is set to host a week-long celebration of Māori language and culture, filled with engaging activities for all ages. From September 14th to 21st, the community will come together for Māori Language Week, culminating in a vibrant showcase at the Murihiku Marae.

The week kicks off with a hikoi, or walk, starting from the Invercargill City Council along Kelvin Street and into Queens Park on Saturday, September 14th. A free barbecue and scavenger hunt will follow, accompanied by waiata and outdoor games organized alongside Active Southland.

Monday, September 19th, will feature te reo Māori and kaimoana (seafood) MasterChef competitions at the Murihiku Marae. Participants of all ages are encouraged to showcase their knowledge of te reo Māori in a three-minute presentation on one of three topics: te taiao (the environment), Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), and the importance of revitalizing te reo Māori. The kaimoana MasterChef competition promises to be a highlight, as locals put their culinary skills to the test using paua and ika.

Throughout the week, the Rūnaka will engage on social media, sharing easy-to-learn te reo Māori phrases with the community. The celebrations will culminate with a movie and games night at the Murihiku Marae on Saturday, September 21st. The evening will begin with Kemu Maori (Māori games) at 4 pm, followed by a special viewing of the movie “Coco Reo Māori” at 6 pm. Families are encouraged to bring their own food and enjoy the movie, with popcorn provided by the rūnaka.

“Te reo Māori is our past, is our present, is our future,” says Waihōpai Rūnaka deputy chairman Joe Wakefield. “It’s the gel that binds us together as Māori.” He emphasizes the importance of embracing Māori language, stating, “Reo, waiata, kapa haka, carving – they all weave like a korowai together, you can’t have one without the other.”

The week-long celebration aims to raise awareness and appreciation for Māori language and culture, highlighting its vital role in the identity and survival of the Māori people.

Read More