Te Rautaki Reo o Ngāti Awa

Ngāti Awa launch's language survival strategy


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The traditional and unique dialect of Ngāti Awa filled the air at Rangataua Marae in Poroporo on Saturday 30 April as the Eastern Bay of Plenty iwi unveiled a five year language revitalisation strategy.

The marae based launch of Te Rautaki Reo o Ngāti Awa began with a pōhiri at midday followed by a series of workshops where members of the iwi learnt more about the distinctive features of the Ngāti Awa dialect. Each workshop catered to a different age group from infants to adults and was facilitated by a selection of noted Ngāti Awa reo exponents.

Te Rautaki Reo o Ngāti Awa is a response to Ko Ngāti Awa Te Toki – the collective vision the iwi hold for 2050 which was unveiled in March 2010. Survival and rentention of the unique and distinctive dialect spoken by Ngāti Awa was identified in Ko Ngāti Awa Te Toki as a key priority for iwi members.

“Ko Ngāti Awa Te Toki uncovered a collection of aspirations held by Ngāti Awa for the year 2050. Among the very top of that list of aspirations was the retention of our own, distinctive dialect of Te Reo Māori” says Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Chief Executive Jeremy Gardiner.

“Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa has acknowledged this and responded with Te Rautaki Reo o Ngāti Awa which is one component of a wider cultural strategy that sits within Te Ara Poutama o Ngāti Awa – the principal strategic document of the Rūnanga that was also launched this year”

The vision for Te Rautaki Reo o Ngāti Awa has been enscapulated within the phrase Ngāti Awa Reo Rau which translates to Ngāti Awa, many voices. To have the traditional dialect of Ngāti Awa spoken by large numbers of iwi members in all facets of daily life is the critical outcome that the vision refers to.

Joe Mason, Ngāti Awa Kaumātua, says that although the strategy has been developed and will be driven by the Rūnanga, the responsibility for the regeneration and revitalisation of Te Reo o Ngāti Awa ultimately lies with “every single member of the iwi”.

“If Te Reo o Ngāti Awa is to survive into the future, we need to ensure it is spoken where ever our people are – especially in our homes.

“The Rūnanga will support the strategy by providing tools to preserve, teach and learn the language. However, we need a commitment from every individual within the iwi to take ownership in securing this taonga for themselves, their whānau and for the many generations of Ngāti Awa to come”