Ingrid Hipkiss has used Maori place names in weather reports this week.
Ingrid Hipkiss has used Maori place names in weather reports this week.
Formal request made for Maori word for ‘tomorrow’ to join ‘kia ora’ in TV broadcasts
It's been heard throughout Maori Language Week but now there's a push to have "apopo" become part of all weather forecasts, much like how "kia ora" starts news broadcasts.
The Maori Language Commission Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori says that it has approached TVNZ, TV3 and the MetServiceabout using the Maori word for "tomorrow" in future weather broadcasts.
Gareth Ormsby, spokesman for Te Taura Whiri, said a formal request for its use had been made earlier this year but the commission was yet to hear back from either broadcaster or from the MetService.
"We haven't had a specific response on whether or not they will be using apopo permanently."
Mr Ormsby said both broadcasters had embraced Maori Language Week but he hoped weather presentations would incorporate the word into their dialogue and graphics from now on.
"TV One and TV3 were carrying the kaupapa [theme] and using a lot of Maori terms and Ingrid Hipkiss has used all the Maori place names.
"This is something we would like all organisations to do but they [broadcasters] have a particular role in reaching a wide audience."
A TVNZ spokeswoman said the state broadcaster was open to maintaining use of te reo Maori in an organic way across its news platforms outside of Maori Language Week.
