Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is under way, with Police staff around the country joining the campaign to encourage use of New Zealand’s first language.
Constabulary and general police employees from Wellington District, Police National Headquarters and the Police Infringement Bureau joined thousands of people on the capital’s showpiece day-one event - a hikoi from Parliament to Civic Square, renamed Te Ngākau.
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Sam Hoyle, who took part in the hikoi, says it is important to him personally to promote use of Te Reo – and important to Police as an organisation with a value of Commitment to Māori and the Treaty.
“Language is central to any culture,” he says. “Part of what defines us as a country is Te Reo Maori and that’s important to me personally as a New Zealander.
“I believe it’s also important to us as an organisation to visibly support the language. That means using it every day, working hard at getting the pronunciation right.”
Police staff nationwide are engaging in a wealth of activities this week – and beyond – to show their support for Te Reo Māori. These range from joining further Te Reo hikoi in Tamaki Makaurau, Gisborne and Rotorua, to promoting ‘words of the day’ and learning waiata. Here are a few other examples:
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The first Eastern District video features Senior Sergeant Steve
Nicholl.In Eastern District, where a 12-week Māori language course has been available, staff are posting social media videos of someone giving a brief pepeha and talking about what Te Reo means to them – you can find them on the Eastern District Facebook page.
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In Bay of Plenty, staff have teamed up with South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services / Aere Tai Tokoroa – and polished up their dance moves – in a fun music video promoting the language.
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In Wellington, Iwi Liaison Coordinator Te Roera Puna has been sending out an email quiz to help cement language basics. Constable Aroha Morehu is visiting police stations to help staff prepare their pepeha, or greeting; Iwi Liaison Coordinator Joseph Harwood offering the same in Wairapapa. "It's about giving it a go," says Aroha.
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In Counties Manukau, staff are out and about this week in the famed Pirihimana police car.
In Waitematā, staff are lining up with schools to promote awareness of Te Reo.
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There’s some hard work under way in Auckland City, where PT circuits are being conducted in Māori – and the District Leadership Team are being coached in the Police haka Ko Te Uru Pounamu.
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In Tasman, activities include a cultural tour taking in significant sites in the vicinity of Nelson Police Station and a noho marae in Canvastown, Marlborough.
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In Southern District, staff have been videoed voicing the theme of the week - Kia kaha te reo Māori.
On a national level, work is under way to help comms call-takers and dispatch staff with proper pronunciation of Māori place names.
“Te Reo Māori is one language that is unique to Aotearoa, so it belongs to all of us,” says Mike McLean, National Manager Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Services.
“It enriches who we are as New Zealanders and helps us all appreciate the value of cultural diversity in our home and work lives.
“It starts with something as simple as pronouncing people’s names correctly, which is important for our ability as police to engage meaningfully with Māori, or learning when to use a macron, which can change the sound and meaning of words.”