Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is all about celebrating te reo, and commemorates the date that Te Reo Māori became officially recognised as one of NZ’s three official languages in 1972. The theme for 2018 is 'Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’ - let’s make the Māori language strong' - the perfect excuse for the Dojo team (and residents) to flex their reo muscles, perfect that pronunciation and stretch those skills. It is also the perfect time to reflect on what Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori means to those celebrating it. So we asked our residents and team about what it means to run a Māori business, how they embrace tikanga and taha Māori and of course their views on a week celebrating Māori language.

It's about encouragement: Dayna, BizDojo Tory Street


Ko Ruapehu te maunga
Ko Wanganui te awa
Ko Aotea te waka
Ko te Atihaunui-a-paparangi te iwi
Ko Asher tōku hoa rangatira
Ko Nevaeh rāua ko Heighten āku tamariki
Ko Dayna ahau

What does Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori mean to me?

It's a week to celebrate our language. I feel it's a time to practice Te Reo in a safe and encouraging way and also a time to learn from each other.

Do you use Te Reo Māori day to day? And if yes, how?

Yes I use it with my children and lightly in my day to day kōrero. However, this week always ignites my passion on it as it's fun to talk and practice with friends, colleagues and anyone I come in contact with.

How does tikanga and taha Māori influence what you do?

Big question...one part of te ao Māori that influences me and something I use in everything I do is whanaungatanga. The importance of people and relationships. Sometimes we get so caught up in mahi’ we forget it's actually about the people.

Anything else you want to share?

Really get amongst this week and learn something. Pronunciation, more kupu, learning the whakapapa of the words and just having fun with it. It can be hard and scary practising. Encourage each other.


It's about meaning: Mana Communications, BizDojo Wellington



The Mana Communications team – a PR and communications consultancy - are part of our Market Lane community in Welly. When founder, Caleb, started the business in London, he wanted a brand identity and values which spoke distinctly of Aotearoa. Caleb is attracted to the power and complexity of ‘mana’. Mana sits at the heart of what the business does: looking to grow and share the mana of people and organisations through powerful storytelling.

Annie (Ngāpuhi), Tori (Ngāti Kahungungu ki Wairarapa) and Blake (te kuri) complete the Welly crew. They try to foster te reo by using it in their day-to-day work. ‘Do the mahi, get the treats’, is their unofficial team motto.

Mana Communications work with a range of organisations, including Goodnature, the Wellington conservation technology company, who regularly work with iwi and community organisations on conservations projects. Two recent projects involved the release of kōkako in the Taranaki bush and a trap layout to protect tītī (muttonbirds) in Rakiura Tītī Islands.

Tori is currently studying te reo at Te Wananga, Caleb is on a mission to become fluent in the next decade, and Annie loves immersing herself in Te Ao Māori and conversing with hoa who are fluent in te reo. They crew are excited to see a shift in the teaching and use of te reo.

It's about being proud: Kate, Activation Manager - BizDojo


For those not in the know, your pepeha is a way of introducing yourself in Te Reo Māori which explains who you are and where you are from. I love the process of introduction through pepeha, sharing of layers whakapapa, acknowledging connections to tipuna and the whenua. It’s a beautiful way to connect.

I’m proud to be Māori and share my pepeha:


Ko Orangi te maunga
Ko Te Ewe te awa
Ko Tākitimu te waka
Ko Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa te iwi
Ko Ngāi Te Ipu te hapu
Ko Kate ahau

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is a great time to share yours, or if you do not know it, it is a great time to get to find out! There are lots of resources online designed to make this easy, even for those just starting out on their journey with Te Reo Māori. So have a read, or even a watch and then start practicing yours. You do not need to know it off by heart when you are first starting out, so why not use the rest of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori to write yours down so you can use it, and learn it over the rest of the year.

Arohatia te reo!


It's about continuing to learn: Claudia, ImplementCulture

Meet Claudia - one of our newest community members in Welly. Claudia recently set up ‘ImplementCulture Ltd’ to navigate relationships between cultures in a project environment. She specialises in the cultural tourism sector.

ImplementCulture works with both indigenous and cultural groups and organisations such as councils and government agencies to enable authentic and meaningful story-telling for local communities as well as visitors around the globe to enjoy.  

Claudia has worked with iwi across both Islands of New Zealand, implementing interactive resources to share and educate. ImplementCulture has the vision for a future where cultural tourism has become a locally sustainable resource for the communities and their future generations.

She was born in South America and has Swiss and German heritage, so has been navigating cultural boundaries since day one! This, combined with qualifications, such as a film degree from London back in the day and experience in advertising, running businesses and in the last decade focusing on cultural visitor experiences, Claudia looks forward to continuing learnings while she assists bringing culture to the surface.

ImplementCulture is 100% New Zealand owned, but also so new there isn’t even a website yet! If you’d like to talk to Claudia you can reach her via email at hola@implementc.com, on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/implementculture/, or +64 21 7111 41

try it for free.

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