Media release

12 March 2013

Sharing sweet stories in Te Reo Māori

Well-known Te Reo Māori advocates Scotty Morrison, Joe Harawira and Tamati Waaka will share Māori language stories through the art of oral storytelling from each of their iwi in three Auckland libraries during April. This is part of a new partnership with Te Reo Wainene ō Tua (The Sweet Story of Yesteryear).

These sessions are part of wider collaboration with Te Reo Wainene ō Tua (The Sweet Story of Yesteryear), which will deliver these stories in Te Reo Māori to kōhanga reo (pre-school learning centres) and kura kaupapa Māori (primary and intermediate children whose curriculum is taught solely in Te Reo Māori) across Auckland.

Lee Timutimu of Te Reo Wainene ō Tua says these pūrākau (stories) pass on well-known stories about our history, tikanga, tūpuna, and waahi which have been passed down from generation to generation.

“We are humbled and very excited to present these stories to our people, in the same way they were presented by our tūpuna (ancestors) – orally and in story telling fashion.

“This is truly a unique kaupapa within today’s technological climate and the digital age,” he says.

Libraries and Information Manager Allison Dobbie says Auckland Libraries values working bi-culturally and collaboratively.

“These storytelling sessions enable Māori whānau to see our commitment to the use of the language within our libraries, and the resource that is available in libraries to support whānau.

“This is a unique event and we’re very excited to support te reo Māori,” she says.

Auckland Libraries Pou Whakahaere - Māori Advisor, Anahera Sadler, says storytelling is an integral part of te ao Māori (the Māori world).

“We’re honoured to have such well-known te reo advocates sharing their pūrākau (stories) from each of their iwi bringing alive the stories of the tūpuna (ancestors) with tamariki (children) of Tāmaki Makaurau,” she says.

Each session will include a whakatau (welcome), storytelling and activities. In addition stories will be made available via a free downloadable e-book.

This programme is funded by Mā Te Reo. For more information and updates visit the Facebook page or, to register attendance, schools can go to the registration page at www.3pmedia.net.nz.

ENDS

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