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Scrum forms for Mäori Language Week at Westpac Stadium

Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor puts the ball in to the Mäori Language Week scrum with the call, "hei aha te kaiwawao - never mind the ref", (from left) Te Puni Kökiri Chief Executive Leith Comer, Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner Tom Calma (second rower), Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres and Associate Tourism Minister Dover Samuels give a "kia kaha" heave over the ball.

Ihi Aotearoa SPARC Push Play Manager Deb Hurdle waits at the back of the scrum (obscured from view) to "maka te pöro - pass the ball" to Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori – Mäori Language Commission Chief Executive Haami Piripi (right).

The Mäori language phrase booklet on sport and and t-shirts can be ordered via www.nzreo.org.nz

Photographer: Adrian Heke

Media statement For immediate release
20 July 2006

Mäori Language Week focus from sport to tourism

Sport is the focus of this year's Mäori Language Week activities and was kicked off today at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

Overall promotion of the week is again being coordinated by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori (the Mäori Language Commission), Te Puni Kökiri and Te Kähui Tika Tangata (the Human Rights Commission).

"Ihi Aotearoa SPARC are also involved this year and are encouraging sporting organisations to use the sports booklets of Maori phrases developed as part of the wider campaign and to enter the new Mäori Language Week sports award," says Ihi Aotearoa SPARC Push Play Manager Deb Hurdle.

"Sport is the theme this year and next year it will be tourism says Mäori Language Commission Chief Executive Haami Piripi

"Sport is a natural domain for speaking Mäori and we want to encourage the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who participate in sports, fitness and other healthy activities to speak Mäori while they're doing it," says Mr Piripi.

"The All Black test on Saturday offers a great chance to try out some of the words and phrases from the book like: stand in black (kia tü pango mai), taka whakamua (knock on), pae whiu (sin bin) and rutu (tackle)," says Mr Piripi.

"Tourism is another area with high Mäori participation, and Mäori language and culture is one of the main reasons tourists come to Aotearoa," says Mr Piripi

ENDS

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