He Huia Kaimanawa - Māori Language Expo 2009
14 October 2009
Media Release
He Huia Kaimanawa - Māori Language Expo 2009
He Huia Kaimanawa, a two day Māori Language Expo, will take place at Te Rauparaha Arena and Event Centre in Porirua, tomorrow starting with a pōwhiri at 11am.
Member for Waiariki, Te Ururoa Flavell will officially launch the expo tomorrow on behalf of the Minister of Māori Affairs, Pita Sharples. A key discussion point for He Huia Kaimanawa is determining what excellence in Māori language is, and how this might be achieved. Two panels representing government and community will discuss this topic as well as other language revitalisation issues.
He Huia Kaimanawa consists of three parts including: a symposium called ‘He Whakairinga Kupu, He Whakapiringa Tangata’ which will discuss community based te reo Māori revitalisation initiatives; an exhibition called ‘Ngā Whetū Koea’ which will showcase successful te reo Māori projects, and finally the awards component, ‘Ngā Tohu Reo Māori’ which will celebrate te reo Māori success.
“The objective of He Huia Kaimanawa is to discuss, showcase and celebrate te reo Māori success and innovation occurring across Aotearoa. This forum will help uncover the various initiatives that accelerate Māori language regeneration in communities”, says Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori.
ENDS