Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) is encouraging Aotearoa to embrace te reo Māori mo 'Ake Ake Ake' (forever).

This year's kaupapa (theme) of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2024 is 'Ake Ake Ake - A Forever Language'.

The week-long celebration commemorates the presentation of the Māori Language Petition to Parliament on 14 September 1972, a milestone that has been observed and celebrated annually in Aotearoa since 1975.

On 14 September 1972, members of Ngā Tamatoa, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University’s reo Māori society, and the New Zealand Māori Students Association collected a petition with more than 30,000 signatures and presented that to parliament. That day also became known as Māori Language Day.

Today, thousands of New Zealanders across the country celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. These include schools, businesses, community groups, media, and sports teams.

We'll share what's happening locally but if you know something's happening and it's not already here - let us know.

Ōamaru Public Library, 16-19 September

Te Rāhina / Monday 16/9 11am Kēmu, kaputī & keke

Play a couple of fun te reo games and finish with tea and cake

Te Rātu / Tuesday 17/9 1pm Waiata Hapori

A special Māori Language Week edition of Community Waiata

Te Rāapa / Wednesday 18/9 3.45pm Tākaro Tamariki

An after school bilingual story time with a fun activity

Te Rāpare / Thursday 19/9 1pm Kapa haka

Te Au o Waitaki - Waitaki Girls and Boys High kapa haka group

performing in the library