South Wairarapa District Council has enjoyed embracing Aotearoa’s native tongue as Te Wiki o te Reo Māori/Māori Language Week comes to a close.

The Council aims to continue its commitment to strengthening te reo Māori and is making a move to include more te reo Māori in its publications, as well as on signage.

The Pre-Election report has been re-released with te reo Māori headings and it is planned that these will be included in all future key council documents.

Council staff are undertaking Māori language lessons starting next week with SWDC Māori Standing Committee Chair Raihānia Tipoki.

Mr Tipoki says, “Our language has been missing from the vast majority of spaces in Wairarapa for generations. To have Council join in the efforts to rectify this indicates a significant growth in the willingness of Pākehā Aotearoa to listen to Māori.

“I have to commend our Council and the leadership of our new chief executive who has expressed genuine support to embrace Māori culture. Ki mua tātau!”

Chief Executive Harry Wilson says, “We recognise it’s really important to embrace our tikanga culture and language, so we’re committed to taking steps to ensure it not only survives but thrives in our community.

“The revitalisation of the language is vital if we want te reo Māori to be around for future generations.”

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori has been celebrated each year from 1975.

Māori Language Day is Saturday 14 September and commemorates the presentation of the 1972 Māori language petition to parliament.