Finalists for 2011 Māori Language Awards announced

5 October 2011

Media Release

Finalists for 2011 Māori Language Awards announced

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (The Māori Language Commission) announces finalists for the 2011 Māori Language Awards today. 27 finalists across 15 categories have been identified.

Glenis Philip-Barbara, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori says, “Congratulations to all finalists, particularly for their efforts and commitment to te reo Māori. Everyone, finalists, entrants and those who participated and support the Māori language are to be congratulated. The Māori language has had unprecedented coverage in the media capturing much of the activity throughout the nation.”

“We received a number of high caliber entries this year and continue to be impressed by the range of initiatives showcasing creativity and innovation in Māori language promotion and revitalisation”.

The finalists for the 2011 Māori Language Awards are: Te Reo o Taranaki Charitable Trust (New Plymouth); Kings College (Auckland); Department of Corrections (Wellington); Tokoroa New World; Te Kōtuku Rerenga Tahi Ltd (Gisborne); Insoll Avenue School (Hamilton); Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust (Tauranga); Waahuu Creations (Wellington); NZ Customs Service (Wellington); Massey University – Te Kūnenga ki Pūrehuroa (Palmerston North); Wellington City Council; Kaiti School (Gisborne); Inland Revenue Department (Wellington); Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū (Rotorua); Tokoroa High School; Te Wharekura o Ngāti Rongomai (Rotorua); TVNZ (Auckland); South Waikato District Libraries (Tokoroa); Vodaphone NZ (Auckland); Albany Primary School (Auckland); Raukawa Trust Board (Tokoroa); The Gisborne Herald.

Note that some entrants are finalists in more than one category.

Winners of the 13 categories and the winners of the closed awards Te Tohu Aumangea (made to a community based organisation or initiative in acknowledgement of outstanding commitment to the language) and Taku Toa Takimano (recognising an individual’s efforts and contributions to the language) will be announced at the Māori Language Awards evening, Friday 18 November at the Rotorua Energy and Events Centre.

The Supreme Award, Te Tohu Huia Te Reo, will also be announced.

For more information regarding the Māori Language Awards, or to purchase tickets, please contact Betty Hauraki on 04 471 6042 or betty@tetaurawhiri.govt.nz. All media enquiries should be directed to Debra Jensen.

ENDS

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