Māori Queen Among Those Celebrating Māori Language In Hastings

A profound source of inspiration for the kaupapa.

That’s what the organisers and supporters of this year’s Toitū Te Reo Māori language festival say was signalled by the presence of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po at a ticketed breakfast function in Heretaunga Hastings today.

The event, held in celebration of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori and to announce the programme for this year’s Toitū Te Reo festival, brought together event partners Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc., Te Mātāwai, Ngāti Kahungunu Rūnanga Arts & Culture Board, and Hastings District Council, alongside special guests, media and members of the public.

The presence of Te Arikinui, who served as Tumu Kairangi alongside Sir Tīmoti Kāretu at last year’s inaugural festival, signified the Māori Queen’s ongoing and ardent support for language revitalisation, says festival founder and convenor, Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod. “It not only demonstrates her commitment, it inspires us all to keep the kaupapa alive,” says Jeremy.

Toitū Te Reo’s 2025 theme, Titiro Whakaroto – Look Within, follows Te Arikinui’s maiden national address at the Koroneihana celebrations earlier this month, Jeremy continues. “Her words were poignant and they were powerful. Te Arikinui spoke of a new direction to achieve transformational change and Mana Motuhake, and of no longer allowing external forces to hinder us. It is her support, alongside Sir Tīmoti’s lifelong aspiration to see te reo Māori flourish, that anchors Toitū Te Reo as a movement of enduring significance.”

The programme for Toitū Te Reo, (November 13 and 14, 2025) includes the highly anticipated street celebration, with free concerts, presentations, expo areas and wānanga filling the Hastings CBD. Alongside these, the ticketed symposium programme will focus on just two spaces:

• Rangimamao (full immersion in te reo Māori)
• Pūmotomoto (entirely in English)

Symposium topics announced at today’s launch will confront some of the biggest issues for te reo Māori today. These include artificial intelligence and how it intersects with te reo, sustaining te reo in the home, the future of dialects, unpacking language trauma, elitism and accessibility, neurodiversity and language acquisition, and the widening gap between those who can access reo and those still striving to reclaim it.

Kōrero will also explore tikanga, the values that underpin our reo, and the role those values must play in shaping its future. Rangatahi will be central, ensuring the language remains relevant for the next generation, while other sessions will highlight grassroots innovation, fresh thinking on long-standing initiatives, and the wellbeing of our reo champions, alongside courageous conversations about how te reo can prosper when facing limited resources.

The programme will also showcase the creative power of te reo through waiata composition panels, live shows and comedy. These elements ensure the festival not only debates the challenges but also celebrates the vitality and beauty of Māori in action, with the hope that all attendees will leave inspired, challenged, and activated.

“After two years of relentless attacks on te reo Māori, many across the motu feel drained - energy, passion and commitment have been eroded. This year’s kaupapa creates space to reset and renew, to look within, block out the noise, and bring fresh thinking,” says Jeremy, who spoke at this morning’s launch alongside Sir Tīmoti, with a performance by Tawaroa Kāwana and rōpū.

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc. Chair Bayden Barber says his iwi is proud to once again stand at the centre of the kaupapa. “Our commitment to te reo Māori is unwavering. Toitū Te Reo has brought together iwi, hapū, and communities from across the motu to celebrate, debate, and act for our reo. For Ngāti Kahungunu, it has been a privilege to host this kaupapa here in Heretaunga.”

Jeremy says the turnout at today’s breakfast is evidence of wide support for the upcoming festival. “The renaissance of te reo Māori was led not by policy but by people who cared enough to fight for it. Now is the time to look within, to open hearts and open minds, and to face the real issues for our reo.”

Tickets for the symposiums and festival events are available now at www.toitutereo.co.nz

Event Details

• Festival Dates: Thursday 13 – Friday 14 November 2025
• Location: Hastings CBD & Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre

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