Māori programmes/ Te puna wai kōrero 1975

Māori Language in Schools: Windy Ridge Primary School in Auckland was the school chosen to mark the launch of national Māori Language Week, 14-21 September 1975.

The kaupapa for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is to illustrate that te reo Māori is a living language. Ka tīmata ngā korero ki te tauparapara.

According to the Auckland President Brian McDonald it is a week to demonstrate that the Māori language is not dead, that it has survived and kept pace with modern life.

Kaikōrero: Ka uiuitia e Toby Rikihana a Shelly, tētahi kōtiro ki tana karāehe. Selwyn Murupaenga describes how te reo has not been supported by the education system.

Toby Rikihana is a teacher at Windy Ridge School. He talks about the importance of te reo to the community and how education is needed to share the value of Māori language and culture. Actuality of students acting a scene in te reo Māori.

Rikihana says parent response to the school's Māori language programme has been overwhelmingly supportive, even from parents who have come to New Zealand from overseas. The school invites parents to the school to learn about the language programme. Parents can participate in the orally focused sessions.

The dental nurse incorporates te reo Māori into her work; children demonstrate this language. Sheree Gurney describes how the programme operates from the point of view of a parent and discusses the value of the reo and of the programme.

Toby Rikihana has some criticism of Education Department advisors - he says while some are excellent, other inspectors are not helpful at all.

- Kaikōrero: Williams asks student 'Debbie' and others what they enjoy about the programme e.g. poi, tītitōria.

Where to from here? Continuing to promote the language to schools, school leaders and communities is the greater goal. Toby Rikihana speaks about what more could be done to promote Māori language through schools, radio and television.

Recording of a lesson with Mr Rikihana, using counting cards to teach "E hia?"

Amanda Cameron reads a story - 'Mahuika'.
Poem: "The Divided Heart" by Harry Dansey is read.
Song: The Long and Winding road - The Beatles

Closing commentary: The Māori language has refused to die, however there is the need and potential to increase learning of te reo Māori and to share the language. Concludes with mihi.