Media Releases
Maori Language Week Awards Winners Announced
Released at 8:21 am on 18 September 2007
The winners of the 2007 Māori Language Week Awards were announced on Friday night, at a special awards evening held at the Duxton Hotel in Wellington.
The Supreme Award winner was Radio New Zealand, who developed a comprehensive and innovative Māori language week programme which included: organisation Māori language and pronunciation training, presenters opening and closing live programme in Māori, inclusion of a special bilingual segment, the development of a series of audio trailers of well known non-Māori advocating increased Māori use, interactive activities for internal staff and the inclusion of a special website revamp.
Radio New Zealand commented that the week had been met by enthusiasm from staff and listeners alike. Overwhelming positive feedback and a shift in internal cultural have laid the foundation for increased Māori language use.
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori Chief Executive, Huhana Rokx said that Radio New Zealand had raised the bar with the planning and execution of it's Māori Language Week programme.
"It is obvious that staff at Radio New Zealand put a significant amount of effort and commitment into developing their Māori Language Week programme. I am glad to see that their listeners were quick in sharing praise and supporting their endeavours".
Auckland was also a big winner at the awards scooping four of the 7 category awards for: Business, Health, Television and Schools. The Bay of Plenty was close behind picking up four awards for: Community, Local Body, Pubic Library and Tourism. Wellington secured two awards for Central Government and Radio. Hawke's Bay took out the Sports award, Gisborne the print award, Taranaki a School award and Christchurch an Arts award.
"Congratulations to the winners and all our finalists on their achievements, in particular for setting a new benchmark for others to aspire to at the 2008 Māori Language Week Awards".
A full list of 2007 Māori Language Award winners of each category is below.
The awards are a signature event organised by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, and includes invaluable support and sponsorship from: Tourism New Zealand, Te Puia, Te Māngai Pāho, Māori Television Service, Auahi Kore, Te Puni Kōkiri; Ministry of Education, National Library; JR Design & Lithographic Services, Wigley & Pacific Law, the Human Rights Commission, Cinco Cine Film Productions, Mā Te Reo & Kōrero Māori.
Winners of Awards can be viewed on the Kōrero Māori website.
