Te Matoe o te Reo 2026: Keeping the Reo Alive

Earlier this year, whānau, kaiako, reo champions, rangatahi and community leaders gathered in Ngāmotu for Te Matoe o te Reo 2026, a celebration of te reo Māori and the people working every day to ensure it thrives for future generations. The kaupapa attracted more than 150 attendees, 17 speakers and thousands more online, creating a powerful space for learning, sharing and connection.

More than a symposium, Te Matoe o te Reo was a reminder that language revitalisation happens through everyday actions, at home, on the marae, in workplaces and throughout our communities. Participants explored practical strategies, shared lived experiences, and gained inspiration from those leading reo revitalisation across Te Tai Hauāuru.

The impact has continued well beyond the event. Feedback showed increased confidence in speaking te reo Māori, stronger connections to culture and identity, and a renewed commitment to using reo in daily life. Many participants shared that they had introduced new reo practices within their whānau, enrolled in further learning opportunities, or felt more confident participating in kaupapa Māori spaces.

The evening awards programme celebrated the many individuals who have dedicated their lives to nurturing and growing te reo Māori throughout the region. Their stories highlighted the collective effort required to protect our language, uplift our local dialects, and inspire the next generation of reo champions.

As the conversations and connections from Te Matoe o te Reo continue to ripple across the motu, one thing remains clear: the future of te reo Māori is strengthened when communities come together with a shared commitment to speak it, nurture it and pass it on.

Kia kaha te reo. Kia māia te kōrero. Kia ūkaipō anō te reo