Community Probation & Psychological Services staff from Whangarei demonstrate the different
Maori vowel sounds. From left: Service Manager Brendon Arthur, Probation Officers Nick Lawrenson,
Nicky Rogers, Hana Sadler, and Senior Community Work Supervisor Peter Marselos.
The week kicked off with performances at head office by girls from Te Kura Kaupapa O Nga Mokopuna and Wellington Girls College. For a small fee staff were then treated to a mid-winter hangi provided by Te Kura Kaupapa O Nga Mokopuna.
The rest of the week was dedicated to generating interest in te reo, and encouraging staff to learn the language.
Korero Māori “Give it a go” booklets, bilingual NZ anthem cards and maps with Māori place names were distributed by Community Probation & Psychological Services (CPPS) head office to service centres all over the country. The booklets include a handy pronunciation guide and a range of greetings and other phrases to use in everyday conversation.
In collaboration with Te Roopu Kai Koha, Corrections’ national representatives of M?ori staff, CPPS sent out daily emails containing useful phrases, sayings and tips. Bilingual crossword puzzles were also a hit, with six lucky centres taking home a M?ori music CD for their correct entries.
Staff in Whangarei also had fun demonstrating the different vowel sounds, which are key to speaking Māori, as many words spelt the same have different meanings when macrons are added (long vowels are usually marked with a macron, like the “a” in Māori).
As well as being a bit of fun, the initiative was an ideal opportunity for staff to get familiar with and become confident using Māori words, phrases, and sayings.
“Being familiar with te reo is an effective way of improving our relationships with Māori staff, stakeholders, offenders and their whanau,” says National Māori Service Development Adviser Lawrence Tawera.
|
Ingoa wahi |
Place names |
|
Aotearoa |
New Zealand |
|
Te Ika-a-Māui |
North Island |
|
Te Waipounamu |
South Island |
|
T?maki-makau-rau |
Auckland |
|
Kirikiriroa |
Hamilton |
|
Ātautahi |
Christchurch |
|
Te Tihi-o-Maru |
Timaru |
|
Ātepoti |
Dunedin |
|
Te Tai Tokerau |
Northland |
|
Te Matau a M?ui |
Hawke’s Bay |
|
Mihimihi |
Meeting and greeting |
|
Kia ora |
Hello/thank you |
|
Tena koe/korua/koutou |
Greetings to |
|
Ko (name) ahau |
I’m (name) |
|
Kei te pehea koe? |
How are you? |
|
Kei te pai |
Good |
|
Ka kite ano |
See you later |
|
Kia pai to ra |
Have a great day |
Got a story for Corrections News or want to request the print edition?
Email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365.
ISSN 1178-8453