Biren Karki
Earlier this month, communities around the country celebrated Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2023 – Māori Language Week. The theme of Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori, making the language stronger, continued this year and is an essential piece to reach the goal of one million te reo speakers by 2040.
I know we have many champions of te reo Māori at MIT and Unitec, as well as other languages, and I want to acknowledge you all for embracing and taking part in the dedicated events we had on campus.
Te Wki o Te Reo Māori took on a new level of meaning this year with three Wānanga Pēpeha put on for Unitec kaimahi. The one-hour sessions, which included traditional parāoa parai (fry bread), attracted more than a dozen staff members all keen to learn the true meaning of pēpeha and to create their own personal connection to their heritage.
For Unitec Alumni Relations Coordinator Biren Karki, the Wānanga Pēpeha was a real eye-opener: “Learning about pēpeha helped me understand the essence of Māori culture and how it’s deeply connected with the spiritual arm of life. Coming from Nepal, spirituality is embedded in everything we do, so this was something that really resonated with me.
“I loved how learning your own pēpeha helps you reflect on how we are all connected with nature and the ancestors that have come before us. I found it strangely comforting to realise you’re never alone as the individual carries their past into the future. Which essentially means that our ancestors are ever present, existing both within the spiritual realm and in the physical.”
Biren says he would definitely recommend the experience to everyone. “As long as you’re prepared to approach it with an open heart, you will definitely come out a different person and more connected to your roots.”
L to R: Marama Haines-Te Whare, Vivennne Merito (back), Whaea Tanya White
Kaihautū Rīkona Andrews says the success of the Wānanga reflects a growing interest in pēpeha across Aotearoa New Zealand. “There has been a massive growth in interest across the motu from people interested in connection to pēpeha. A lot of people have a basic understanding but don’t really understand the deeper significance.”
“The Wānanga Pēpeha encouraged kaimahi to create an emotional connection with their own lineage, landmarks and stories that have been handed down to you. The sessions definitely had an impact – there were even tears. Some people went away from the first session, learnt more about their heritage and came back for a second session.”
Rīkona says the sessions will return next year and is considering opening them up to Unitec ākonga as well. All participants in this year’s Wānanga walked away with the pēpeha printed on quality card from the Unitec copy centre.
Hāere pai atu.
Nāku noa
Na Martin Carroll
Operational Lead – Unitec and MIT