Wairoa District Council's Maori standing committee chair Kiwa Hammond says the district's push to become bilingual is about language regeneration through economic growth. He chats to Mark Story
What will the bilingual initiative add to the Wairoa district?
Bilingualism is a gateway to a world. It leads to multilingualism which leads to cultural, economic, and social growth and opportunity. Wairoa is well placed to take advantage of its rich history and reputation as a centre for language regeneration through tourism, technology, and business development. Equally so, having a district council that is committed to becoming a better provider of services to its community - of which almost 60% are Māori and a large proportion of the other 40% have a large vested interest in Māori - means that the community as a whole stands to benefit.
What's involved in becoming bilingual - what will change?
Change? At one level becoming bilingual is about making a personal commitment to use what we know and being open to learn more and in turn using that in our everyday lives - in homes, on the streets, in shops and workplaces, in schools - and feeling comfortable doing so. It's about empowering people to develop a strong mindset around communication because good communication creates opportunities. Changes will vary for each person - be that a personal change as described above or changes that happens around them - such as bilingual signage.
Who was behind the idea?
Te Wairoa Reorua - Bilingual Wairoa 2040 emerged from discussions between Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu o Te Wairoa and the Human Rights Commission in 2012 which led to the launch of it this initiative that same year. Well established Māori language groups such as Te Ataarangi, kōhanga reo, Wairoa Taiwhenua and kura were invited to participate along with the Wairoa District Council who have become a strong supporter of the initiative. Bilingual Wairoa is about supporting, encouraging, and enhancing existing initiatives and creating opportunities for those kaupapa to be successful.
What has to happen before it becomes a reality?
Being bilingual is already a reality for some people and sections of our community because they are the ones speaking, promoting, and living a bilingual life. For others it is in the visual landscape - such as the flags that fly every year during Matariki, cultural symbols, and signage (like the Wairoa Hospital which has displayed bilingual signage for several years now). For some people it will be when they or their children or grandchildren are openly conversing in dual languages - equally confident in Māori and English. Really it is all of those things. The goal is that by the year 2040 (the 200 year anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi) Wairoa will be a truly bilingual community.