Toitū!

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki | Auckland Arts Festival presents Toitū!

The sustenance of chiefs is oratory.

An art form in and of itself, the Māori language is cause for appreciation and celebration. Interest in te reo Māori is at an all-time high – wait lists for classes are oversubscribed by learners from all ages and backgrounds, well-known songs are being re-released in te reo, movies are being translated into Māori, and the number of books published in te reo is on the rise.

Toitū! brings together a panel of leaders from te ao Māori who have demonstrated determination and commitment to the revitalisation, endurance and growth of te reo Māori. Their stories of lived experience will give us a snapshot into what it takes to be a language warrior in this day and age, during these uncertain times.

This is a fantastic opportunity to further your understanding of te reo, regardless of where you are on your language journey, and to hear from this group of recognised experts in te reo, including Dr Sir Tīmoti Kāretu (Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo Māori, Te Kohanga Reo National Trust), Professor Rawinia Higgins (Māori Language Commissioner), and Pānia Papa (Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo Māori; Te Ahu o Te Reo Māori), who have dedicated their time and energy to ensuring the ongoing strengthening of the indigenous language of Aotearoa.

This is a bilingual event

Real-time English translations of Māori spoken will be provided via headsets for those that require assistance