Kaikohe Community Prepares for Return of Te Reo Towns Celebration

KAIKOHE — The community of Kaikohe is preparing to host Te Wiki o te Reo Māori for the second consecutive year, with local organisers planning a week of festivities to promote the language. As reported by Te Ao Māori News, the Northland town is one of four locations selected for the Te Reo Towns initiative this year, a collaborative project established by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission) and Te Mātāwai. Local organiser Kīngi Rākete-Tāne stated that the kaupapa is designed to encourage the natural use of te reo Māori in everyday settings. The upcoming celebrations on 16 September follow a successful inaugural event that saw nearly 1,000 people participate. Rākete-Tāne noted that after a challenging period for the town, the event serves as a vital way to bring whānau together and build a sense of collective pride and mana. A highlight of this year’s programme is the integration of sport and language through a rugby game that will be played entirely in te reo Māori. This initiative aims to demonstrate that the language has a place in all aspects of life, including the local rugby field. Rākete-Tāne described the pairing of te reo and rugby as a beautiful outcome that resonates deeply with the hearts of local families. The Te Reo Towns kaupapa is supported by the Te Reo Towns Activation Fund, which assists communities in Rotorua, Ōtautahi (Christchurch), and Tūranga (Gisborne), alongside Kaikohe. For locals, the movement is about more than just a single week; it is reflected in the daily lives of kaumātua and rangatahi who continue to speak the language at playgrounds and in public spaces, ensuring te reo Māori remains a living treasure.