Tōku reo, tōku ohooho: Māori Language Petition exhibition

The Māori Language Petition (Te Petihana) displayed in this exhibition records a moment when Māori and non-Māori came together to protect, uplift and honour te reo Māori as a treasure of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Spearheaded by rangatahi from Te Reo Māori Society and Ngā Tamatoa, the presentation of a petition on the steps of Parliament on 14 September 1972 led to the first national Māori Language Day. More than 30,000 people signed Te Petihana, calling for te reo Māori to be taught in schools.

Fifty years on, this exhibition displays the original Te Petihana Te Reo Māori, recording a significant historical moment for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bring your whānau along to view this taonga.

This exhibition is part of Te Petihana Reo Māori 50th Anniversary events.