Ngati Kahungunu reo Maori revitalisation efforts recognised   13 Nov 2014

12 November 2014

Kahungunu, Kia Eke!

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. reo Maori revitalisation efforts recognised at the National Maori Language Awards 2014 in Rotorua

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. is elated to receive two awards at the Nga Tohu Reo Maori held at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre on Friday 7 November 2014. Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. were the successful winner of the Hapori (Community) category sponsored by Maori Television in recognition of the various community initiatives that have been implemented to support the revitalization of te reo Maori.

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. were also awarded the Tohu Huia Te Reo (Supreme Award) which is awarded to the overall winner of the 12 contestable categories.

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. chairperson Ngahiwi Tomoana commented: “This is a huge honour for Ngati Kahungunu’s language revitalization efforts to be recognized at a national level. We are humbled to receive these two awards considering the high calibre of the other finalists and winners.”

Director of Te Reo, Tikanga & Matauranga Jeremy Tatere MacLeod also commented: “We are very humbled to receive these two awards in recognition of the iwi’s efforts to save our language. These awards serve as a recognition of the hard efforts of many within Ngati Kahungunu who work tirelessly to ensure the preservation of te reo Maori and also gives us inspiration to continually improve and achieve the goals within our strategy”.

The initial Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. Maori language strategy was launched in August 2006 and reviewed in 2012. The new updated strategy, Kahungunu, kia eke! Ngati Kahungunu Maori Language Strategy 2012-2027 is comprised of three ‘puna’: puna tangata (people), puna rauemi (resources) and puna matauranga (knowledge). Ngati Kahungunu was one of the first iwi nationally to suffer major language losses and is now proud to be at the forefront of iwi leading language revitalization strategies, alongside other iwi like Ngati Raukawa te au ki Te Tonga, Ngati Raukawa ki Uta, Taranaki and Ngai Tahu who have paved the way. The Ngati Kahungunu Maori language strategy can be summarized into four main pillars:

1. The promotion of bi-lingualism right across the iwi rohe
2. The need for improvement of the quality of language being spoken and taught
3. Innovation in seeking ways of enticing society into learning and using the language
4. The preservation and safe-guarding of the unique Ngati Kahungunu dialectal variations of te reo Maori.

Jeremy Tatere MacLeod also commented: “National recognition whilst humbling also gives us pleasure in knowing that our efforts are not going unnoticed. It also reminds us that we must always strive to ensure that the strategic goals are achieved and that the endangered language is safe-guarded and protected for generations to come”.

Ngati Kahungunu is the third largest iwi. Geographically the tribe has the second longest coastline in the country from Paritu in the North to Turakirae in the South. Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated maintains an independent position to provide research, advice and advocate for the interests, rights, values, beliefs and practices of Ngati Kahungunu alongside our whanau and hapu. Our mission is to enhance the mana and well-being of Ngati Kahungunu.

ENDS

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