Media Release
17 July 2006

Korero mai – its Maori Language Week

Manukau Libraries will be celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori - Maori Language Week in the last week of July. Aimed at promoting and encouraging the use of Aotearoa’s original language, Te Reo Maori, the week’s stimulating activities and promotions include:

- launch of Putumohi, Auckland region public libraries catalogue completely in te reo Maori

- Manukau Libraries website in te reo Maori

- Te reo Maori Storytimes in various libraries

- All Maori language tapes, CDS, music tapes and videos in the Maori collection can be borrowed FREE during Maori Language Week

Manukau City Council’s Director of Community Ian Maxwell says Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori is a significant event on the city’s cultural calendar:

“It is important that we celebrate te reo. It is spoken nowhere else in the world. We hear it every day in the names of our towns, mountains, rivers and wildlife. Most of us have felt the passion and cultural pride it brings when we see the haka performed at a sporting event.

”Maori is an international symbol of New Zealand. This week is a great way of keeping the language alive”, says Mr Maxwell.

Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori – Maori Language Week takes place from 24 to 30 July.
For more information contact your nearest Manukau library, council’s Call Centre (09) 262 5104 or website www.manukau-libraries.govt.nz.

Ka mutu – Ends

Note to media:

Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori – Maori Language Week in Manukau

Visit your library for:
- kia ora stickers
- wallet foldout with basic greetings/ commands/ pronunciation guide
When you phone Council:
- Maori music on call waiting (external)

Manukau City Council Staff initiatives for Maori Language Week include:
- Proverbs emailed out Monday – Friday to all staff by CEO Leigh Auton
- Te Reo classes for interested staff