Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori

This week is important because not only does it focus attention on Te Reo Māori but it also reminds us in a positive and practical way that we are Treaty partners and still have a huge way to go in developing that partnership.

By promoting and using Te Reo Māori we begin in a small way to publicly open peoples thinking and develop others awareness of different ways of doing and being. This is really exciting. There is so much to learn and as a nation we have wasted so much time.

What is important to me:

• Working for an organisation which
• Demonstrates that it takes its Treaty Responsibilities seriously.
• Is clear about bicultural partnership and practises this
• Has processes inclusive of both cultures
• Consults, listens with ears and heart and acts in a way which takes differences into account
• Working in a community where there is a chance to make a difference in peoples lives
  • To encourage people to see the library as their space which reflects their values and supports their learning.
  • To support the tide of change lead by the organisation through our libraries unit into the community where Māori and Pakeha move forward together, considering each other, celebrating differences and learning from one another with humour and pride.

Language is a major communication vehicle in any culture and is an integral part in transmitting the values of the culture. While Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori may be a small step along the way, the force is gathering and the momentum increasing towards a bicultural society. It's exciting to see children in the library using resources in Māori, using resources in English and translating the information into Māori, communicating with each other and their teacher in Māori. How fortunate they are. How wonderful, if by law, all children in this country had this opportunity.

How much richer the language.
How much richer our lives!

Rosemary Hitt, Community Librarian, Linwood Library, 2006