It’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week, so we thought we’d introduce you to Ali Te Pohe, who is Wairarapa Library Service’s Te Ao Māori Specialist.

Ali lives in Martinborough and has two tamāhine (daughters) and 4 mokopuna (grandchildren). She has worked for our libraries for 10 years.

Ali’s te reo Māori journey began three decades ago when she was expecting her first pēpē (baby).

“I was on Orongomai Marae (Upper Hutt) and as soon as the karanga began, my baby started doing flip-flops in my tummy – the karanga would pause and so would she… the karanga would start again and so would she. She also did it all through the waiata – the singing must have been great! It was really uncanny.”

Since then, Ali has done both self-directed and traditional learning to improve her reo, and now she shares this passion through her mahi (work) at the Wairarapa Library Service (WLS).

Valuing te reo Māori in our South Wairarapa libraries

Did you know there were Māori collections at all South Wairarapa libraries?

A key focus of Ali’s role is ensuring these collections are up-to-date, relevant and meaningful.

“The Te Ao Māori Specialist role was created with a focus on maintaining high-quality, relevant Kohinga Māori, embedding Māori values and initiatives into everyday library practice and engaging with whānau Māori to create meaningful library experiences.”

Ali says whilst Māori Language Week is great for raising the profile of te reo, it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate te ao and te reo Māori year-round.

Ways to celebrate Māori Language Week with our libraries

• Check out the physical Māori collections at the three South Wairarapa libraries
• Take the tamariki to visit the StoryWalk® in Considine Park, Martinborough, and read E Oma, Rāpeti | Te Rehi (Run, Rabbit | The Race)
• Visit the WLS website to learn about our ‘te reo kete’, find te reo Māori online resources, and see what’s new in the Māori Collection: wls.org.nz
• Attend Wā Kōrero | Storytime – free stories, activities, movement and rhymes every week during the school term:
  • Featherston, 10am Tuesday
  • Martinborough, 10am Tuesday
  • Greytown, 10am Friday

Q&A with Ali Te Pohe, WLS’s Te Ao Māori Specialist

Q: What’s your favourite te reo Māori children’s book in South Wairarapa’s libraries?
A: Kei hea te hipi kākāriki? nā Mem Fox / Where is the green sheep? by Mem Fox

Q: What about a favourite book for adults?
A: Aroha, by Dr Hinemoa Elder. The subtitle reads “Māori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet”. It’s a beautiful read.

Q: Which word in te reo holds the deepest significance in your life?
A: I have two that I can’t choose between: I have the word māia, which means courage/bravery, tattooed on my arm as a daily reminder. The second word is whakapapa, because I wouldn’t be here without it.

Q: What’s the biggest opportunity for libraries during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori?
A: Continuing to visibly support and embed te reo within our communities – be it via kōrero with customers, programmes, storytimes, print books or digital initiatives. Ko te mātauranga te mana!

Where to find out more

Visit reomaori.co.nz to find out more about Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week, which takes place between 14-20 September 2025.

Read our media release about Māori Language Week turning 50: South Wairarapa District Council celebrates a golden – koura – opportunity this month