The Māori Language Commission has marked Waitangi Day by formally announcing the dates and theme for this year’s Māori Language Week: 14-20 September 2020. September 14 marks the day in 1972 when the petition for te reo Māori was presented to parliament.

"The Treaty was first written in te reo Māori, first debated in te reo Māori and first explained in te reo Māori. The Waitangi Tribunal paved the way for the first and later Māori language laws establishing a partnership between the Crown and hapū and iwi for the revitalisation of te reo Māori," said commission chief executive, Ngahiwi Apanui.

"Waitangi Day is like every day – a Māori language day. With just 244 sleeps until Māori language week starting on the 14th of September 2020, Waitangi Day is a great day for all to plan celebrations of New Zealand’s language: te reo Māori. The theme remains: Kia Kaha te Reo Māori!"

(And yes we know there’s another event during that week!)

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