First ever Moriori Language Week takes place in November

 

Ta Wik’ a Ta Rē Moriori (Moriori Language Week) will be celebrated for the very first time next month, after years of unrelenting language revitalisation efforts. 

 

The inaugural celebration, led by Hokotehi Moriori Trust will take place between 17-23 Whareahi (November) 2025. This week is about honouring, celebrating and sharing this beautiful language with Aotearoa whānui. 

 

Ta rē Moriori is the indigenous language of Rēkohu (Chatham Islands). Since the early 2000s, ta rē has seen a resurgence through community drive, years of research and language resource development, including the ta rē web app(external link). 

 

Te Mātāwai Board representative and Poutaki of Te Tai Tonga, Kiwa Hammond (Moriori, Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa, Ngāti Ruapani, Rongowhakaata) has championed the renaissance of ta rē and tikane (tikanga) Moriori.  

 

Speaking of Moriori Language Week’s significance, Kiwa says, “Ta Wik’ has been a long time coming. It is the product of years of hard work to revitalise and restore ta rē Moriori and I look forward to celebrating with my hunau (whānau) and imi (iwi).” 

 

“Moriori people are creating opportunities to use ta rē Moriori more openly. This will take time of course and so we ask all those who support Moriori language regeneration to help us create the spaces, places, and opportunities for Moriori to reclaim a language that connects us to our past in the present and through to the future for our tchmirik’ (tamariki) and mokopu (mokopuna). Me rongo (kia tau te rangimārie).” 

 

Te Mātāwai is proud to support the revitalisation of ta rē Moriori, including the 10-year language strategy, Homouri Ta Rē Moriori developed in 2021. 

 

Follow the Ta Wik’ o Ta Rē Moriori(external link) Facebook event page to join the celebration.