Māori Language Awards Celebrate Community Leaders and Innovators

The annual Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2025, held in Wellington on March 29, celebrated individuals and organizations making significant contributions to the revitalization and promotion of te reo Māori. Hosted by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, the Māori Language Commission, the event recognized a diverse group of recipients dedicated to carrying the Māori language into the future.

Piripi Walker received the esteemed Te Tohu Oranga Angitu (Lifetime Achievement) award. His extensive work has quietly shaped the Māori language landscape over decades. As a founder of Te Upoko o te Ika, Wellington’s first Māori radio station, and as a secretary for Ngā Kaiwhakapūmau i te reo Māori, Walker’s influence has been instrumental in language revitalization efforts during the landmark Te Reo Māori claim.

The Te Tohu Tū Rangatira (Supreme Award) was presented to Lorraine ‘Nanny Lolo’ Pirihira Hale, who has dedicated more than 40 years to her community through her role at Te Kōhanga Reo o Te Teko. Representing Mātaatua-Tauranga Moana on the National Kōhanga Reo Trust Board, Hale has inspired generations to integrate te reo Māori into their daily lives. Upon receiving the award, she expressed her surprise and joy, stating, “I was feeling very happy at the moment, although I did think they may be lying to me when they told me I had won.”

Hale emphasized her enduring passion for nurturing young children in te reo and tikanga, stating, “Even after 40 years of working in kōhanga reo, I still love the kaupapa.” She noted the importance of encouraging parents to speak te reo Māori outside of school settings, highlighting the need to bridge the gap for those who missed out on early language immersion.

Reflecting on her hopes for the future, Hale expressed a desire to see te reo Māori become the primary language spoken at her marae. “My hope is that no matter where you are on our marae, from the cooks to the orators, we are speaking Māori,” she said. She credited her parents and aunties for instilling a strong work ethic in her, inspiring her to pursue her aspirations and contribute to the language’s revitalization.

The event also recognized other notable recipients, including Dr Hona Black, Aukaha News, Arataua Media, and Auckland Transport. They were acknowledged for their innovative contributions, including the translators of the first-ever bilingual Olympic sporting glossary, Te Reo Māori ki Parī 2024.

Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri, Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr, remarked on the significance of the event, stating, “It was an honour to recognize those who lead, inspire, and carve out a future for te reo Māori.” The awards serve not only to celebrate individual achievements but also to highlight the collective effort towards preserving and promoting the Māori language within the community.

The Ngā Tohu Reo Māori 2025 awards stand as a testament to the resilience and dedication of those working tirelessly to ensure that te reo Māori continues to thrive for future generations.