Language
Hamilton mayor wants council's name changed to Kirikiriroa
Hamilton locals are divided over whether their council should be renamed Kirikiriroa City Council in recognition of its Māori heritage, but the decision will come down to councillors. John Boynton… Video, Audio
Combating a mono-linguistic New Zealand
Why do we need a second language in our lives? New Zealand is still lagging behind on the international stage, as far as second language learning in school goes. That could be about to change. Audio, Gallery
Puns, puns, puns!
I hope you've got your wits about you because our next interview is pun-tastic. Dad jokes, word play and wise-cracks are the order of the day as Wellington's Pun Battle kicks off tonight. Audio
RNZ reporter Jessie Chiang on Chinese names
One of our colleagues in the RNZ newsroom has written a great first person piece about why she doesn't use her Chinese name. Audio
Hundreds on wait-lists for beginner reo classes
Beginners courses in the Māori language have reached full capacity, with waiting lists as long as 300 people in some areas with places not available till next year.
Shot bro! The greatest hits of Kiwi lingo
Shot bro! Pop a manu! Skuxx, sick and munted - just some of many somewhat baffling New Zealandisms used in every day life. Auckland author, broadcaster and blogger Justin Brown has just published an… Video, Audio
News in Tongan for 9 February 2018
The latest news in Tongan language (Lea Faka-Tonga). Audio
News in Samoan for 9 February 2018
The latest news in Samoan language (Gagana Samoa). Audio
News in Niuean language for 3 February 2018
The latest news in Niuean language - brought to you by our Pacific partner - The Pacific Media Network. Audio
Te Reo or Mandarin...or both??
Learning another foreign language, does not have to come at the expense of learning Te Reo Māori according to our first guests this evening. Will Flavell teaches Te Reo Māori and Japanese at… Video, Audio
Hangry, hazzle and mastige - the lexicon expands
Mansplaining, ransomware, hangry and hazzle are among more than 1000 words that have been added to the latest Oxford English Dictionary. Audio
News in Tongan for 31 January 2018
The latest news in Tongan language (Lea Faka-Tonga). Audio
News in Samoan for 31 January 2018
The latest news in Samoan language (Gagana Samoa). Audio
News in Niuean for 31 January 2018
The latest news in Niuean language (Vagahau Niue) - brought to you by our partner - Pacific Media Network. Audio
"Heaps" of words
The word "heaps" is distinctly kiwi. It's gone from being used to describe an amount of things or objects, to being used interchangeably with "very" or "really". Audio
Lost in translation: navigating comedy across cultures
Samoan New Zealander Li'I Alaimoana, South African New Zealander Urzilla Carlson and Icelandic comic Ari Eldjárn explore comedy and culture. Video, Audio
Iwi funding model leading te reo Maori revitalisation
Waikato has started with a te reo Māori option at ATMs but that's just the beginning. Advocates says the key is to get the language out in the community, not just the main centres. Audio
Stories show te reo is alive and kicking
Analysis - Historian Paul Moon believes te reo Māori is dying. Those sharing their te reo stories on social media this week beg to differ, Mihingarangi Forbes writes.
The desperation of India's scammers
The scammers trying to convince you your computer has a problem may well have been conned themselves, Delhi journalist Snigdha Poonam says. Audio