MIT scoops top tertiary Māori Language Week award

Monday, 18 September 2006

MIT scoops top tertiary Māori Language Week award

Manukau Institute of Technology has won the Tertiary Institution Award - Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori for its excellent work around promoting the use of the language and appreciation of the culture during national Māori Language Week.

The Māori Language Week Awards were held in Wellington on Thursday, 13 September by the Māori Language Commission to recognise the efforts of organisations that promoted Māori Language Week from 24 to 30 July.

“MIT is very proud of our achievement as it highlights how committed we are to promoting the use of Te Reo Māori and creating awareness and appreciation of Māori culture,” says head of Te Tari Matauranga Māori, Wiremu Doherty.

“The achievement also reflects that the language is alive and vibrant and can be effectively used in today’s modern world between friends, peers and whanau.”

The celebrations during the week included innovative activities such as a “Māori in a Minute” introductory language class and a Maori language internet chat room, while staff and students were encouraged to use Māori in everyday situations with the help of posters and Māori language booklets.

The other finalists in the Tertiary Institution Award category sponsored by Körero Mäori - Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mäori were the University of Canterbury and Waikato Institute of Technology.

ENDS

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