From this week, the Horowhenua Chronicle and all websites and newspaper publications in the NZME group, take a big step toward giving the Māori language the recognition it deserves.
All nzherald.co.nz online platforms and related print titles have started using macrons in the appropriate Māori words.
A macron is a line above a vowel to indicate that it should be spoken as a long sound.
The macron - known in Māori as tohutō (or pōtae - meaning "hat") - indicates which part of the word to stress, aiding in correct pronunciation, and can change the meaning of a word to plural, or to something else entirely.
It is only right that we should make our best efforts to properly present te reo Māori, given its status as an official language of New Zealand, and its deep-rooted importance to the people of this country.
Estimations are that around 150,000 New Zealanders speak conversational Māori.