Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2026
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2026
One more word than yesterday
Every day, across Aotearoa, people create moments of connection through play, active recreation and sport.
It's the volunteer coach greeting tamariki at training. The teachers helping rangatahi try something new. The club administrator welcoming new members. The instructor encouraging someone to take that first step.
These everyday interactions help shape the culture of our communities.
That's why this year's Te Wiki o te Reo Māori focus, Te Reo Towns, is a perfect opportunity for everyone. Communities across Aotearoa are being encouraged to make te reo Māori more visible, heard and valued in the places where people gather, connect and belong. The kaupapa celebrates communities that have long nurtured te reo Māori while encouraging everyone to play a part in its future.
For those working and volunteering across play, active recreation and sport, that contribution can be simple.
A "kia ora" at the registration desk.
A new word shared with your team.
A bilingual sign in the clubhouse or workplace.
A mihi to open a meeting.
A little more reo than yesterday.
That's the challenge many of us are taking this Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: one more word than yesterday.
Not because we need to be experts. Not because we need to get everything right. But because participation matters.
Every word spoken, every phrase learned and every effort to use te reo Māori helps create spaces where people feel welcomed, connected and valued. Small actions, repeated by many people across many communities, can have a lasting impact.
Whether you're just starting your reo journey or have been speaking te reo Māori for years, there’s a place for everyone in this movement.
For the play, active recreation and sport sector, practical resources are also available to support this journey. Tū Te Wana is a free, self-paced online learning pathway on Sport Tutor that helps people grow confidence in te ao Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga, te reo Māori and relationship building. The free Te Ihi app is another simple tool to support everyday use of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori in workplace settings.
These resources are designed to help turn good intentions into everyday practice, whether that’s building confidence with te reo Māori, deepening understanding of tikanga, or creating more welcoming environments for participants, whānau and communities.
This Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, let's take one small step together and keep building from there.
One more word. One more conversation. One more opportunity to hear and use te reo Māori.
Kia kaha te reo Māori. Start with one more word today.
Resources to help you get started
