At the Emerge Aotearoa Group, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is a very important time of year and although we find ourselves in a different world right now, it did not stop us celebrating the Reo. We just did it in different ways.
Our Te Puna Ora Team did a brilliant job in pulling together events and initiatives that all kaimahi across the motu could engage in that were all in support of this year’s theme: Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori.
We ran Te Karakia o Te Ata; virtual daily morning sessions to engage with Te Reo Māori, Karakia Māori, Waiata Māori (YouTube Videos), Kapa Haka Videos and have our Kaiārahi share their Te Reo Māori Journeys. Te Karakia o Te Ata is now a permanent daily start to the day, open to all kaimahi and their whānau.
Te Karakia o Te Ahiahi; virtual daily afternoon sessions to engage with Te Reo Māori; Karakia Māori, Waiata Māori (YouTube Videos), Kapa Haka Videos, Quick fire Te Reo Māori lessons and games. Our kaiarahi led Kahoot Te Reo Māori quizzes and took people through fun flashcards that they had developed. Just like Te Karakia o Te Ata, Te Karakia o Te Ahiahi has now become a permanent end to the day that is open to all kaimahi and their whānau.
Over the course of the week, we ran a series of organisational wide hui called Te Rito. These hui were all about whakawhanaunga and ako. One particular hui was dedicated to what it means to be a Tangata Tiriti organisation which was exciting and inspiring. Given the significance of the week in which they were being held our Te Puna Ora team helped the organisation to celebrate the opening and closing of each hui with vibrant Waiata Māori, Karakia Māori and Mihimihi.
In the middle of all of this we also had many kaimahi who contributed to the Māori Language Moment on Tuesday 14 September at 12pm.
What a wonderful week it was.
