Te Konohete – The Public Service Celebrates Kapa Haka

The public service celebrates te reo Māori this weekend at the annual Te Konohete celebration.

Te Konohete is an annual public sector celebration through kapa haka and waiata that started in 2004, with a number of agencies joining this year's event at Pipitea Marae on Saturday (November 11).

This year Te Konohete's focus is on community and family with a number of kids activities planned including bouncy castles, books to give away and educational promotional stands, alongside kai and merchandising stalls.

The Ministry of Education is hosting this year's event. Dr Wayne Ngata, Raukura Chief Advisor Te Ao Māori from the Ministry, said they wanted to create a celebration that included the families of those who worked in the public sector.

"Interwoven into this kaupapa is an opportunity for those in the public sector to engage with each other on a positive kaupapa, celebrate our wonderful diversity and build networks to form long lasting relationships," he said.

Te Konohete is a free event and kicks off at 11.30am at Pipitea Marae, Thorndon Quay, Wellington.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

There are 24 organisations participating in this year's Te Kōnohete. Each will perform a bracket of items for 10minutes.
Te Kōnohete grew out of desire by Ministry of Justice staff learning te reo Māori and waiata to create a celebratory event for its staff. A year later it grew to include other public sector agencies.
The first Te Kōnohete event was in 2004 and was held at the Wellington District Court jury room, led by Belinda Clarke, Secretary for Justice and CEO at the time.
Each agency has turns at hosting Te Kōnohete.

© Scoop Media