Māori language week celebrations begin in Wellington

The first of the many celebrations for te wiki o te reo Māori is underway in Wellington this morning.

The theme for the 42nd edition of te wiki is 'Kia ora te reo Māori' - let the Māori language live.

The Māori Language Commission estimates around 130,000 people can hold a conversation in te reo, while 300,000 are learning the language at school.

A further 10,000 are learning te reo at a tertiary level.

Around 25 floats were expected to join the parade as it makes its way from the Cenotaph on Lambton Quay to Civic Square.

The parade got underway at 11am, with the floats set to arrive at Civic Sqaure by midday.

Students of all ages are here as well as Green Party MPs Metiria Turei and Marama Davidson.

Te Kura Maori o Porirua is leading out the parade from the Cenotaph.