Encouraging the use of Te reo Māori continues to grow in importance as native speaking numbers decline. Continuing support for the language this Māori Language Week, OMANZ (JCDecaux, oOh!Media!, QMS, Media5 and AdVantage Media), with assistance from LUMO and Go Media, will be using their talents to make the language more visible.
This includes the use of digital out-of-home advertising panels displaying changing creatives of real-time elements such as audience, time of day, day of week and dynamic triggers such as weather or traffic. Last year, the media industry used over 400 digital panels in six main centres across the country.
The Chief Executive of the Māori Language Commission Ngahiwi Apanui says Out-of-Home media brings the Māori language to a very wide audience and makes it welcome in a visible, attractive and engaging way. This OMANZ initiative is a wonderful contribution to the success of Māori Language Week, illustrating the opportunities for business to expand their use of Te reo Māori.
Māori Language Week this year will run from 9-15 September this year with the theme of ‘Kia Kaha Te reo Maori, which is all about strengthening Kiwi knowledge of the langue and encouraging use.
Nick Vile, OMANZ Chairman, says that the success of last year’s Te reo campaign proves that when creative taps into contextually relevant moments, awareness and engagement levels for campaigns are significantly increased.
“By combining a simple and concise message, with striking imagery and effective use of colour, plus adding a layer of contextual relevance, the creative demanded attention,” he says. “With ever evolving opportunities to engage audiences utilising digital technologies in Out-of-Home we look forward seeing even more and interesting use of contextually relevant creative in the coming year.”
Our native language is continuing to decline, a 2013 census showed less than four percent of our entire population speak fluent Te reo. After its close demise due to settlers eradicating the language, Māori language societies were established at universities in the 1970s, and Māori Language Week was established in 1975 and has been trying to undo efforts of eradication ever since.
Looking to flare up your normal English with a few sprinklings of Te reo? Here are some easy phrases to work into your workday. Remember, any use of Te reo contributes to normalising it, so don’t feel whakamā (embarrassed) to give it a go.
Good morning: Ata mārie, mōrena
I want coffee: Kei te hiahia au i te kawhe
This is completely wrong: Ke tika tenei
My computer is broken: Kua te pakaru taku rorohiko.
The internet is slow today: He pōturi rawa te ipurangi i tēnei rā.
Shall we (more than one person) meet for lunch? Me haere tātou ki te tina?
What time is it? Hea te wā
Regards: Ngā mihi
All the best: Noho ora mai
