Tauranga Symposium to Highlight Kapa Haka as Vital Vehicle for Māori Language Revival

A public symposium at the University of Waikato’s Tauranga campus this Wednesday will examine the vital role of kapa haka in the ongoing revival of te reo Māori. Held as a highlight of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori celebrations, the 90-minute event aims to connect the wider community with Māori knowledge and the lived experiences of practitioners. Waikato University Associate Professor Ngairo Eruera will lead the discussion alongside local practitioners Taha-Ngawari Tangitu-Huata, Mauria Ngatoko, and Numia Tangitu. The panel will share their personal journeys within kapa haka while discussing strategies for promoting, teaching, and preserving the language. Eruera described kapa haka as a "vehicle" for language recovery, providing a unique platform for Aotearoa to engage with its national identity. Speaking on the significance of the Māori language, Eruera noted that te reo is a language born of this land’s history and remains uniquely ours. While he observed that visibility of the language is growing through technology, Māori television, and radio, he expressed caution regarding political movements that might diminish the visibility of te reo Māori in favour of English. He maintained that both languages could "survive and thrive" without one detracting from the other. The symposium follows a successful event last year focused on tā moko and is designed to cater to all knowledge levels. Eruera encouraged those looking to support the language to begin with correct pronunciation of Māori names for people and places. For those seeking further education, he pointed toward tertiary institutions, Māori-medium schools, and a wealth of digital resources now available to anyone with the desire to learn.