Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: The Journey of Revitalization Over 52 Years
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: A Historic Landmark
In 1972, a pivotal moment unfolded as Hana Te Hemara and fellow activists marched to parliament for Māori Language Week, marking the start of a vibrant revitalization movement for te reo Māori. The delivery of te Petihana Reo Māori with 30,000 signatures became a defining catalyst, leading to the language's official status in 1987, and igniting numerous initiatives to promote its use in schools.
Milestones in Revitalization
- 1982: Introduction of kōhanga reo, the preschool language “nest” system.
- 1987: te reo Māori is designated as an official language.
- Present: Aiming for one million speakers by 2040 as per the 2018 national target.
This year’s theme, Ake Ake Ake – A Forever Language, reflects a political and cultural commitment to continue the fight for te reo Māori, echoing the historic sentiment of perseverance spoken by Rewi Maniapoto. The impacts of passionate advocacy continue to resonate, reminding us of the significance of Hana Te Hemara's actions decades ago. Today's generation of articulate reo speakers stands as a testament to her vision.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.