Te Mātāwai alliance with Te Matatini
Pānui Pāpāho
Te Mātāwai - the Māori language authority that works with iwi and Māori, says Kapa Haka plays a significant role in the nurturing of te reo Māori.
As such Te Mātāwai has signed a strategic alliance with Te Matatini ahead of this week’s Kapa Haka festival in Wellington.
“This is not only about the event, but the role that rōpū (groups) play in nurturing te reo Māori in whānau and communities throughout Aotearoa,” said Te Mātāwai Hoa-Toihau, Waihoroi Shortland.
“We will be working with Te Matatini on ways in which we can help rōpū strengthen that role. It fits our vision to increase the number of people speaking te reo Māori in our homes and communities,” he said.
Te Mātāwai Hoa-Toihau Mereana Selby congratulated Te Matatini on the increased commitment for te reo Māori at this year’s event.
“Not only will we hear our beautiful reo on the stage, but there will be a greater emphasis on the use of te reo Māori throughout the entire event.
“I urge all visitors to Te Matatini to use their te reo Māori as much as possible – no matter what their level is. If we don’t use it, we will lose it,” she said.