Supermarkets fete Maori Language Week

Two Wairarapa supermarkets are celebrating Maori Language Week, or Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori, by providing downloadable Maori language posters, colouring resources and matching cards.

FreshChoice and SuperValue have a total of 60 supermarkets spanning the country that are taking part in the initiative, including FreshChoice in Greytown and SuperValue in Featherston.

There are 23 coloured posters and colouring-in pages of everyday food and other items found in a supermarket.

The items have also been collated into downloadable matching cards sets which can be used as a memory game.

The resources are designed to help parents and educators teach children and themselves Te Reo Maori and engage with children, or tamariki, about words, colours and letters.

As of today, all FreshChoice and SuperValue Supermarkets will have the posters by the 23 items to encourage customers to learn the Maori word.

The resources were developed with assistance from Abacus Montessori Preschool in Christchurch.

FreshChoice and SuperValue Supermarkets have set up a photo competition where parents and teachers can upload photos of their activities using the posters and colouring-in books to share with other parents and schools.

All entries will be in the draw for three chances to win $250 of Huia books.

The competition closes on August 9.

This year's theme for Maori Language Week is: 'Whāngaihia te reo Māori ki ngā mātua': helping parents to pass te reo on to their children.