Northland puts tā moko in the spotlight for Māori Language Week

NorthTec's Tai Tokerau staff Ebony Peeni, Michelle Lee and Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn took part in a discussion of the moko during Māori Language Week yesterday.

A robust discussion took place at NorthTec's Te Puna o Te Mātauranga Marae yesterday about the role of today's tā moko and whether it is traditional or contemporary.

NorthTec/Tai Tokerau Wananga business tutor Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn said tā moko (permanent facial markings) represents and demystifies the Māori culture.

"For me, it's like a declaration and, when I first got it, it made me more aware of who I represented and I wanted to become a better person."

She said although tā moko is static on the skin, it is constantly evolving with the wearer.

"Sometimes I look in the mirror and it says something different to me now than it did in 2006 when I got it.

"But it needs to have a purpose and you need to know what that purpose is."

Northtec pathway manager Ross Smith, aka Matua Ross, was pleased to see the resurgence of tā moko.

"What I don't want to see is it going back to the books of history. Now, it's walking towards me and I think, 'That's got to stay', because I don't want my mokopuna to not know what it is."

The discussion was part of a week-long programme running at NorthTec to mark Māori Language Week/Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

Like many events taking place around the country to mark the week, due to Covid alert level 2 social distancing the programme is not open to the public.

However, yesterday a planned one million nationwide were to take part in a midday te reo moment which included speaking, singing or celebrating in the language as a way of acknowledging Māori Language Week while social distancing.

It was also part of a long-term goal by the Māori Language Commission/Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori to have one million Māori language speakers by 2040.

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori chair professor Rawinia Higgins said: "Te reo Māori is the language of New Zealand. But it still needs New Zealanders to keep it safe."

Smith backed this, saying te reo shouldn't just be a passion but a responsibility.

"A language and culture is a responsibility more than anything, it's a responsibility to our ancestors. However, it has to become a national responsibility, not a Māori one. While we were never taught the language, the next generation does have a chance."

Smith said the Māori language was on a rapid decline with the loss of elderly te reo speakers and multiple job cuts this year due to Covid-19 have also contributed, with job-seeking becoming a priority.

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - Māori Language week has been celebrated each year from 1975 and is an opportunity for the concentrated celebration and promotion of te reo Māori, helping to secure its future as a living, dynamic, and rich language. This year's theme is "Kia Kaha te Reo Māori" - meaning "Let's make the Māori language strong".

Whangārei District Libraries are acknowledging Māori Language Week by running a draw to win a kete of prizes. Entry is either by borrowing an item from the Māori collection or greeting a librarian in te reo.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds are also running a number of events including yesterday's discovery trail for children in both te reo and English, a pōwhiri workshop today, a Māori Cuisine Night at Whare Waka Café and an Introduction to carving workshop. For further information, visit: www.waitangi.org.nz.

To find out more about Māori Language Week/Te Wiki o te Reo Māori go to www.tewikiotereomaori.co.nz.