Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, also known as Māori Language Week, is part of a larger effort to breathe new life into the Māori language throughout Aotearoa. Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori aims to inspire New Zealanders to speak the Maori language proudly and experience the rich tapestry of our culture, one sentence at a time.

Like all of Aotearoa, Newmarket is rich in Māori history. Te Ti Tūtahi (Newmarket), means ‘Sacred Cabbage Tree Standing Alone’. The Sacred Cabbage tree was a well-known landmark for those travelling between the Waitematā and Manukau harbours and beyond. The tree originally stood at the corner of Mortimer Pass and Broadway, however, was sadly cut down in 1908 as it was thought to be ‘a danger to children’ attending the local school. Luckily enough, parts of the Te Ti Tūtahi still live on as some shoots from the tree were able to be saved and were used to populate the trees on Lumsden Green many years later. They were also included as part of the Teed Street upgrade in 2017. 

This week serves as a great reminder to incorporate a little, or a lot of Māori language into our everyday lives. Newmarket proudly celebrates the Māori language and heritage this week and every week and here are some ways you can be a part of it: 

Say Kia Ora!

Test out your Māori language at Westfield by heading to the Guest Service Desk on Level 1, near H&M and say “Kia Ora” to the friendly team. In return you’ll receive a complimentary treat - he reka! (yum)

Sing along to some Māori waiatas

Sing along to live Te Reo music, along with Kiwi classics we all know and love, at Westfield this Friday from 3:00pm - 6:00pm.

Read about our Māori history

If the history of Te Ti Tūtahi interests you then you’ll want to head to the corner of Mortimer Pass and Broadway, where the original tree stood, and check out our Te Ti Tūtahi heritage sign. The sign tells the story of our sacred Cabbage Tree and explores the rich Māori culture that populated our beautiful precinct. 

For more ways to celebrate and be a part of Te Wiki o Te Reo, click here.