Mäori Language Week Awards A Tribute To All NZ

12 September 2006

MEDIA STATEMENT

Calibre Of Entries To 2006 Mäori Language Week Awards
A Tribute To All New Zealanders

A record number of entries to the 2006 Mäori Language Week Awards has lifted language innovations to new and exciting heights, and according to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori that’s an achievement all New Zealanders can be proud of.

Whether it was international broadcasts or global use of te reo Mäori; partnerships between local authorities and Mäori groups to change street names; promotions and activities held in schools, workplaces and libraries – this year’s event attracted over 50 entries from a diverse range of organisations spread the length and breadth of the country - and including state sector and local government agencies, schools, sports teams, businesses, health providers, non-government and community groups.

The Mäori Language Week Awards recognise and celebrate creative efforts to promote te reo Mäori. From the entries, 36 made it through as finalists and will vie for awards in 14 categories that span: print, radio, television, public libraries, schools, tertiary institutions, government, local community, sport art and business.

Three new award categories were offered in 2006 to celebrate Mäori language promotion in sport and the arts. An inaugural award was also introduced to highlight first-time entrants. Amongst all finalists, one entry will be judged and announced as the overall supreme winner.

Award recipients will be announced to a capacity crowd at the 2006 Mäori Language Week Awards, this Thursday evening at the Westpac Stadium Trust, Wellington. A new feature of the Awards evening will be its total bilingual format with simultaneous Mäori and English translations occurring throughout the night.

This is the third year the Awards have been offered and Mr Piripi said the volume and calibre of entries was a tribute to the inventiveness of communities committed to using and enjoying the language and leadership in particular sectors like health and education.

“An extremely positive sign has been the growing involvement and participation of non-Mäori organisations in the Awards. We are ecstatic that more New Zealanders are now confident to stand up publicly and be acknowledged for their support of a rich, adaptable language that’s unique only to this country.”

“We congratulate all our finalists whose efforts have definitely set the bar higher for next year’s Awards which will celebrate Mäori language promotion and tourism.”

The Awards are a signature event organised by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori. Sponsors and supporters include Sport and Recreation New Zealand, Ministry of Education, Child, Youth & Family; National Library, Toi Iho, Mäori Television; Cinco Cine Ltd & Mai FM; JR Design & Lithoservices; Reed Publishers, Te Puni Kökiri and Te Ohu Kaimoana.

The Mäori Language Awards will be held 6.00pm, Thursday 14 September 2006, at the Westpac Stadium Trust, Wellington.

Note: A list of award finalists is attached.

Mäori Language Week Awards 2006 Finalists & Sponsors list

Category Award Sponsors Organisation name
Local body Human Rights Commission South Waikato District Council
Local Body Human Rights Commission Whakatane District Council
Local body Human Rights Commission Auckland District Health Board
Public Library National Library South Waikato District Libraries
Public Library National Library Manukau Libraries
Public Library National Library ELGAR - Libraries for a Greater Auckland Region
Central Government Te Puni Kokiri NZ Health Research Council
Central Government Te Puni Kokiri Tourism NZ
Central Government Te Puni Kokiri Ministry of Education
Central Government Te Puni Kokiri NZQA
Media - Print JR design & Litho Services The Gisborne Herald
Media - Print JR design & Litho Services The Southland Times
Media - Print JR design & Litho Services Waikato Times
Media - Print JR design & Litho Services Fairfax NZ newspaper in Education
Media - Television Mäori Television Good Morning TVNZ
Media - Television Mäori Television TV3
Media - Television Mäori Television Visionary Film - Television (Coast)
Media - Radio Körero Mäori - Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori Mäori Media Network
Media - Radio Körero Mäori - Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori Fairfax Media
Media - Radio Körero Mäori - Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori Moana Communications
Community Child, Youth & Family Raukawa Trust Board
Community Child, Youth & Family Services Te Hauora Runanga o Wairarapa
Community Child, Youth & Family Services Ngaiterangi Iwi Inc Society
Sport Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) Netball NZ, Poitarawhiti Aotearoa
Sport Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) NZ Rogaine Association & Wairewa Runanga (joint entry)
Art Toi Iho City Gallery - Wellington
Business Reed Publishing Diagnostic medlab
Business Reed Publishing Desert Spring Ministries Trust Inc
Business Reed Publishing Borders Bookshop
School Ministry of Education Epsom Girls Grammar School
School Ministry of Education Te Kura o Rotoiti
School Ministry of Education Rangitoto College
School Ministry of Education Whangaparaoa College
Tertiary Institution Körero Mäori - Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori Manukau Institute of Technology
Tertiary Institution Körero Mäori - Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori University of Canterbury
Tertiary Institution Körero Mäori - Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori Waikato Institute of Technology
Inaugural Award Cinco Cine & Mai FM Finalists to be announced on the night
Supreme Award Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori Finalists to be announced on the night

ENDS

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