28 June 2006

Letting the language fly: Ngâ Manu Korokî at Auckland City Libraries

Auckland City Libraries invites all Auckland Secondary schools to participate in the Ngâ Manu Korokî o Tâmaki Pâtaka Kôrero Mâori Speech Competition on 26 July as part of the Wiki o te Reo Mâori (Mâori language week) celebrations at the Central City Library.

The competition is open to all secondary students from Year 9 to Year 13. Only one or two entrants will be selected to participate from each school.

Each entrant can select one of five speech topics such as: “Tukuna te reo kia rere, kia kore e memeha” (Let the language fly, so it doesn't disappear) or “Titiro ki ngâ kupu poropiti ô râtou ma, kei reira te oranga mô tatou te iwi Mâori” (Look at the words that have been prophesied by our ancestors; within them lies the wellbeing of the Mâori people).

On the competition day, competitors have 10 minutes to deliver a prepared speech in Te Reo Mâori. The judging panel consists of three judges who will judge them on specific criteria. The winner of the competition will receive the Ngâ Manu Korokî taonga, an iPod Shuffle and a certificate.

Auckland City Libraries, Kaiwhakahaere, Te Ropu Râtonga Mâori, Raniera Kingi says:

“Ngâ Manu Korokî is an awesome chance for secondary schools to participate and develop their Mâori oratory skills. For those students who are developing their Te Reo Mâori skills, this is an opportunity to give it a go! For those more fluent speakers, it is an occasion to perfect their technique.”

The name of this competition – Ngâ Manu Korokî o Tâmaki Pâtaka Kôrero – comes from the whakatauki ‘korokî te manu i te ata, korokî te manu i te po’. Broadly translated, it means ‘the birds that chatter in the morning and the birds that chatter at night’.

Whina Te Whiu, Auckland City Libraries Tumuaki o ngâ Râtonga Mâori says:

“The Mâori Language is well and truly alive and the great interest from schools all around the Auckland region reflects this. Auckland City Libraries proudly supports Mâori Language Week and will continue to celebrate it with special events like the Ngâ Manu Korokî speech competitions.”

To enter the competition, visit www.aucklandcitylibraries.com for competition criteria, speech topics and the entry form. The closing date for all competition entries is Tuesday 18 July 2006.

Nau mai, haere mai ki Ngâ Manu Korokî o Tâmaki Pâtaka Kôrero.

Details Date: Wednesday 26 July Time: 9.45am to 4pm Location: Level 2, Whare Wânanga, Central City Library 44-46 Lorne Street CBD For more information, check out our website www.aucklandcitylibraries.com or contact: Raniera Kingi Kaiwhakahaere (09) 373 6282 raniera.kingi@aucklandcity.govt.nz

ENDS

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