TVNZ’s Maori Language Week Line-Up

Whakanuia Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori ki Te Reo Tātaki! 

Celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) with Te Reo Tātaki (TVNZ) in 2023 and enjoy a raft of new and existing hōtaka (programmes).

The theme of Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori – making the language stronger will continue this year, picking up from where it left off in 2022, when we celebrated 50 years of Māori Language Week. TVNZ is proud to support the kaupapa of both Māori language and culture.

From a Māori Language Week special of Hongi to Hāngī all about the power of waiata, to new local series Moko The World and a te reo Shortland Street theme song, there’s something for everyone this Mahuru (September), to enjoy.

The compelling second season of Origins returns, with Scotty Morrison taking viewers on a deeply personal and emotional journey as he retraces the footsteps of his tupuna, allowing us to see what they may have seen and feel what they could have felt.

The clue lies in the kūmara as we revisit the voyages of his tupuna across the Pacific Ocean, all the way to South America and back down to Aotearoa! (Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th September, 8.30pm, TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+)

A brand-new local hōtaka launches on TVNZ+ following renowned tā moko artist Henare Brooking, and Wild Kai Legend’s Tāmati Rimene-Sproat in Moko the World.

The series explores the ways in which tā moko – traditional Māori tattoo – has become a powerful mechanism for the expression of self-determination, a way in which many rangatahi (youth) are asserting their pride for their culture, their language and, more importantly, their identity.  For these young Māori, there is no better way to wear that pride but on your skin. (Monday 11th September, TVNZ+)

Shortland Street has a reputation for being at the forefront of highlighting the diversity of our people, places, and issues. Te Reo Māori has always been part of Shortland Street, and the series will once again take part in Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2023 by integrating the language into each episode over the course of the week. (Weekdays, 7pm, TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+)

Also, during September, Shortland Street will release a special te reo version of the theme song, performed as a duet by Seth Haapu, one of New Zealand’s most prolific songwriters who performed at TVNZ’s Purapura Whetū Stars of Matariki and emerging singer/songwriter Marei.

Viewers can also enjoy a te reo Māori special of Tāmati Rimene-Sproat’s Hongi to Hāngī: And Everything In Between … this time it’s waiata, as we learn about the importance of waiata (music) and how it’s helped revitalise te reo Māori in Aotearoa.

We hear many old favourite songs, and discuss big moments in our history with waiata such as the national anthem and explore stories of some of the musicians and composers. (Wednesday 13th September, 8.30pm, TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+)

During Māori Language Week, Hyundai Country Calendar follows Makarini Rupene, who shares with Canterbury farmers the knowledge of his tīpuna, his passion for mahinga kai (food gathering), and the value of protecting our waterways.

Tuna (eels), kākahi (freshwater mussels) and pātiki (flounder) are just some of the species he showcases on field days for landowners and in wānanga for school students, teaching them about the kai that’s nourished his whanau for hundreds of years and the importance of ensuring its sustainability. (Sunday 17th September, 7pm, TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+)

Alongside new hōtaka, viewers from across the motu can enjoy an extensive collection of content that explores te ao Māori on TVNZ+, from drama, entertainment and documentaries that are unique to Aotearoa, in a curated collection accessible on the homepage of TVNZ+.

Head over to TVNZ+ to also enjoy shows such as The Feed’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori special, Ahikāroa, Hongi to Hāngī: Matariki Special, The Casketeers, Hui Hoppers, No Māori Allowed, Tangata Whenua, Speak No Māori, Toi Time, Te Karere, Marae,and Waka Huia. If you’d like to enjoy beautiful waiata and kapa haka, Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata 2023 is available on TVNZ+. 

TVNZ’s news and current affairs teams will release stories, content and resources on air and online across the week to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2023.

TVNZ’s line-up of hōtaka is only made possible by the continued support from our funding partners, Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air.