Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 14-20 o Hepetema - Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is on from Monday 14th September to Sunday 20th September 2026. Under the theme Ake, Ake, Ake – A Forever Language, the 2026 focus is Te Reo Towns - a celebration of the communities who have kept te reo Māori alive, and an invitation for all of Aotearoa to help it flourish into the future.
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori events at libraries
Te wiki events at libraries
Resources
Printable resources
Mihi box
Kaupapa Māori activity book
Beginners kete to learning basic Māori
In the catalogue
Te reo Māori
Bilingual Story Cards
Ignite imagination and improve literacy with our bilingual story cards for tamariki.
Each card in the pack has an image and the word in te reo Māori and English. What a great way to learn and practise your te Reo! Players use their cards to create a story together.
Play alone or with a group of any size. Work together to support players who feel less confident. There’s no winner, and there’s no right or wrong!
This game celebrates creativity and improvisation – all ideas are welcome. Find out more.
Story cards are available at libraries for $19.
Booklists
Booklists
Te reo Māori reading for adults
Reo Māori modern classic picture books
Gavin Bishop in Te Reo Māori
Te reo Māori reading for adults
Reo Māori modern classic picture books
Gavin Bishop in Te Reo Māori
Ngā Kōrero Auaha: Customer Stories
Te reo Māori at the library
Te reo Māori at the library
Bilingual signage at Christchurch City Libraries
Māori library names
WHAIAO Exhibition: 8 August to 29 November
Issue books in te reo Māori
All our libraries have self checkout machines with a te reo Māori option.
During Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, all māu e tuku (self issue machines) will have Māori as their default language.
More Te Reo Māori resources
Māori Language Week – Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
A history of Māori Language Week – Te Wiki o te Reo Māori from nzhistory.
100 Māori words every New Zealander should know
This useful resource includes sound files of the words being read out from nzhistory.
Flickr gallery of Māori Language Week at Libraries
Photos: Te wiki o te reo Māori in libraries
About Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week has been celebrated in New Zealand since 1975. It acknowledges and celebrates the Māori language as a unique cultural treasure for all New Zealanders.
Te reo Māori has its origins in East Polynesia. The language is closely related to Tahitian and Cook Islands Māori and to a lesser degree to Hawaiian and Marquesan. In recent years, the use of te reo Māori has become more prevalent and people are working hard to ensure the language is rejuvenated and preserved for future generations.
Each year Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) sets a theme for the week, and a range of activities, promotions, and events encouraging the use of te reo Māori take place around the country.