News And Events

Maori Language Week 2018

Nurtured at Home is celebrating Māori Language Week 10-16 September. The theme will be 'Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’ following on from the success of last year’s theme ‘Kia Ora te Reo Māori’.  ‘Kia Kaha’ is well known in New Zealand English with its correct Māori meaning of ‘be strong’. We often talk about languages as if they are people – talking about language health, strength and revitalisation. So when we say ‘Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’ we’re saying - ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'.

“Strength for an endangered language comes from its status, people being aware of how to support revitalisation, people acquiring and using it and from the language having the right words and terms to be used well for any purpose."

Ngā Mihi - Greetings

In Māori culture greeting others is very important. It is an opportunity for people to show respect, through the language used and its accompanying actions, and the tone for the interaction is set. Whether the greeting is written or spoken, choosing the appropriate language is important.

Learning to greet people appropriately is key to communication success.

Greetings

Hi / Kia ora

Hello (to one person) /Tēnā koe

Hello (to two people) / Tēnā kōrua

Hello (to three or more people) / Tēnā koutou

Inquiring Question

Kei te pēhea koe? / How are you?

Responses

Kei te pai ahau / I’m good

Ka nui te ora / I’m great

Me koe? / And you?

Farewells

Haere rā / Goodbye (to someone leaving)

E noho rā / Goodbye (to someone staying)

Ka kite anō / See you again