Ake, ake, ake: a forever language - My journey and aspirations for te reo Māori

This year we celebrate 50 years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. This is no small feat. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and give thanks. The theme - ake, ake, ake - a forever language, reminds us that te reo Māori is not just for today, but for generations to come. 

Firstly, ngā mihi nui ki a koutou, to those who came before us, who fought to preserve this taonga, and who stood strong so that te reo Māori could survive. Without their courage, who knows where our language might be today? And ngā mihi also to those who will come after us – our tamariki and mokopuna who will carry te reo Māori into the future. Aotearoa is the only place in the world where te reo Māori can truly flourish. It is both our privilege and our responsibility to make sure it does.

My journey with te reo Māori 

Fifty years ago, when Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori first began, I was not yet born. Yet the efforts of that time paved the way for me to reclaim something that should always have been my birthright. The ability to speak the language of my tūpuna. 

As part of our Niho Taniwha workshops, we kōrero about the long-lasting impact of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. I often reflect on how te reo was not available to me and so many others. Today, I stand as a Māori person still learning, still reclaiming, still striving to connect with the reo that should have been second nature. 

The journey has not been easy. Over the years I’ve attended wānanga, night classes, and weekend courses to strengthen my reo, balancing this with work and whānau. Who knew it would be so hard to learn a language that was always meant to be ours? But every small step matters, especially when I think about the legacy I want to leave. 

My aspirations 

I dream that my children, and their children after them, will speak te reo Māori more fluently than I ever will. I hope for a future where te reo Māori is a normal, everyday part of life in Aotearoa – not just celebrated for one week a year, but spoken freely, with pride, by everyone. 

Around the world, multilingualism is the norm. People speak their own languages alongside English. Why not us? If the promises of the past had been honoured, te reo Māori and English would both be spoken across our motu today. 

It is said that it takes one generation to lose a language, and six to bring it back. That is why every action matters. Whether you are Māori or non-Māori, living in Aotearoa gives us the chance to protect, preserve and grow this taonga together. Don’t stop at simple greetings - what else could you add to your kete? What else could you share with your tamariki and mokopuna? 

50 years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 

For 50 years, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori has grown from strength to strength. Let’s ensure it thrives until speaking te reo Māori is simply part of who we are as a nation. Every kōrero, every word, every effort brings us closer. 

This week, ask yourself – What one step could I take to ensure te reo Māori is alive and thriving in my whānau, my kura, my workplace – mō ake, ake, ake? 

If you’re ready to take another step in your own reo journey, there are some excellent resources available to support you. Start with the beginner resources from Reo Māori or explore the curated materials for kaiako and kura on Tāhūrangi. Every word you learn, practise, and share helps ensure that te reo Māori continues to thrive – ake, ake, ake. 

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.  

Kia kaha te reo Māori! 

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