Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2026: Celebrating Learning, Courage and Community
23 September 2026
Across Waipapa Taumata Rau, staff and students celebrated te reo Māori through shared learning and cultural experiences.
*Poutaki Kahu Tauira, Manuhiri Huatahi, shares highlights and reflections from Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2026.
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2026 brought together staff and students from across Waipapa Taumata Rau to celebrate te reo Māori through learning, creativity, connection and fun, resulting in a week of activities designed to encourage everyone, regardless of their level of reo, to take part.
Led by our Kaiāwhina, ReoSpace hosted a range of events including Mahi Toi Monday, a wānanga event, Kahoot + Kōrero, and community-centred celebrations that provided opportunities for learners to engage with te reo Māori in supportive and enjoyable ways. A highlight of the Kaiāwhina events was showcasing the creative talents of participants as part of Mahi Toi Monday, who designed posters based on the 1975 land march led by Dame Whina Cooper.
An in-house SaSS Māori place-name pronunciation competition challenged kaimahi learners to pronounce ingoa wāhi from around Aotearoa. Winners received vouchers, certificates, and the opportunity to continue their reo journey through one-on-one learning sessions, with special spot prizes for two kaimahi who attempted the world’s longest placename. However, all kaimahi engaged in te reo Māori learning were acknowledged and celebrated.
Finally, SaSS can haka performed twice that week, once by invitation from Tui Kaumoana, Kaiārahi of the Faculty of Science, and again for our SaSS whānau as a regular, annual performance.
Our kapa haka rōpū, made up of both AUT and UoA staff led by Manuhiri, Māori and non-Māori standing together, didn't just perform a haka; they showed everyone watching what real partnership and manaakitanga looks like. That collaboration, across universities and across cultures, was the heart of today.
Nō reira, kia kaha te reo Māori.
Āku mihi nui,
Manuhiri Huatahi (ia/she/her)
Keen to keep practising Te reo Māori?
Te Taumata Ngaio
Te Taumata Ngaio is the University’s te reo Māori capability development programme available to all permanent staff and staff on some fixed-term contracts. The programme offers a range of opportunities to meet diverse capabilities in te reo Māori, from beginner to advanced levels, as well as on-campus and online courses.
ReoSpace
The General Library ReoSpace to ignite, kōrero, and sustain te reo Māori in a safe, welcoming and inclusive space. ReoSpace is open to all kaimahi, tauira (students), and manuhiri (guests/visitors) outside of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
Further resources
Waka Huia | Te wiki o te reo Māori