Te Puni Kokiri staff speak only te reo Maori for a month

Te Puni Kokiri chief executive Michelle Hippolite also took part in Mahuru Maori - a challenge to speak more te reo Maori. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Two dozen staff at Te Puni Kokiri spoke only te reo as part of the Mahuru Maori challenge this month. Even chief executive Michelle Hippolite joined in.

"I have also taken on the challenge to speak more Maori this month. It is about doing what we can to ensure that we can embrace our reo and also get our mahi done."

"We are backing Mahuru Maori by supporting and encouraging each other to korero Maori at work, with some of us acting as translators for those who are only speaking Maori all month," Hippolite said.

However, as about 70 per cent of staff identify as Maori, Hippolite said speaking te reo Maori is common at the agency.

"I often hear colleagues speaking te reo Maori to one another and I'm heartened that they are doing their bit for our living language and culture.

"Language is active. You can learn the learn te reo, yet speaking is the active part."

Staff member Leigh Marama McLachlan thought it was wonderful hearing two of her team members, including her manager, only speak Maori this month.

She said it was about being patient and working together for the greater cause, which is to normalise te reo Maori.

"There have been times when I haven't fully understood their instructions, and we laugh it off and help each other out.

"Speaking te reo Maori can change the tone of anything. It is a very calming language to hear and I would love it if this much te reo was spoken at work always."

The challenge was created three years ago by language expert Paraone Gloyne, and is run today by Te Wananga o Aotearoa. Nearly 500 people around the country took part in the challenge.

Staff at Te Puni Kokiri had the backing of their co-workers and senior management.

The Mahuru Maori challenge finishes tomorrow.