Massey University is celebrating the importance of Te Reo by extending its Māori Language Week activities for the entire month of July.
(from left) Kaihautu Māori Sheeanda Field with Senior Māori advisor Jacob Tapiata demonstrate the Māori scrabble game. Photo: Supplied/ Massey University
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori does not officially start until 27 July, but celebrations are already underway at the university's three campuses, with waiata sessions, guest speakers and giant Māori scrabble games on offer.
The university's website has also had a makeover with Te Reo being the language on show on its homepage.
Its senior Māori advisor Jacob Tapiata said the activities would help promote Te Reo to the university's 30,000 students, including about 4000 international students.
"What it aims to do is to promote Te Reo both internally at Massey and around the world," he said.
"[The activities] are also focused on giving opportunity to those people who don't normally have the opportunity to engage with Te Reo Māori."
Mr Tapiata, of Te Arawa and Ngāti Porou said the overall objective was to ensure Te Reo was a living, thriving and relevant language for future generations to enjoy.
Mr Tapiata said he encouraged more people will use Te Reo in their everyday kōrero.
"Use Te Reo, whenever you can, not just for a week or a month, but all the time, everywhere."
Massey University will host a range activities for the month including a weaving workshop by a harakeke specialist at the Auckland campus.
There will also be the conference, run jointly by Massey University and the Auckland Museum from 6-8 July with discussion based on the 175th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi.