Village's language tours aim to encourage te reo

Recent migrants, visitors and locals are invited to celebrate Maori Language Week at Whakarewarewa Thermal Village on Saturday.

The Rotorua Multicultural Council, in conjunction with Whakarewarewa, is running a three-hour "U and I learn Maori" programme that includes a tour of the village, a concert and a hangi.

Those attending will also receive an introduction to the Maori language which they will be encouraged to try out during the day, according to Whakarewarewa marketing manager Renee Raimona.

"We're going to try and teach them a bit of te reo," she said.

"For example when we go over the bridge we'll teach them the word for bridge."

It is the third year the two organisations have combined to run the event, which aims to promote Maori language, culture and history.

Council president Alexis LewGor said anyone with an interest in celebrating Maori Language Week was more than welcome to attend.

"We will hand out a translation sheet with simple phrases," she said.

"So people can introduce themselves and ask questions in Maori, which will be great."

She said the council was trying to embrace this year's Maori Language Week theme of Arohatia te Reo, which means "to cherish the language".

"A lot of languages are dying out," she said.

Council co-ordinator Susana So encouraged newcomers to New Zealand in particular to take advantage of this opportunity.

"We want more people to learn about this," she said.

Ms Raimona said there was no limit for Saturday's programme, an experience which would normally cost about $54.

"If we have to do two tours we will," she said, adding the tour will go ahead rain or shine.

The event costs $15 per person which includes a guided tour of the village, a cultural show and a hangi - with language lessons along the way.

To take part, simply turn up at the Whakarewarewa Thermal Village office at 9.45am.