September is a great month to celebrate two cultures that play a significant role in New Zealand workplaces.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2019 or Māori Language Week takes place from September 9 to 15.
The theme will be Kia Kaha te Reo Māori.
Kia Kaha is well known in New Zealand English with its correct Māori meaning of ‘be strong’. Māori often talk about languages as if they are people – talking about language health, strength and revitalisation. So Kia Kaha te Reo Māori’ says ‘Let’s make the Māori language strong'.
Download resources for your organisation from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo’s (Maori Language Commission) website. There are posters and phrase cards suitable for the workplace. The learn section offers phrases for creating create bi-lingual signs for your workplace, pronunciation guides and information on Maori tikanga to help with interaction in Māori culture.
Then, later in the month, we celebrate Chinese Language Week from 22 to 28 September. You can download posters and phrases for workplaces, find 2019 events in your area or encourage your team to take part in the Five Days Five Phrases Challenge.
