Commitment to te reo recognised

Dunedin couple Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Komene Cassidy are the first South Island winners of...
Dunedin couple Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Komene Cassidy are the first South Island winners of Nga Tohu Reo Maori, a national award for excellence in Maori language promotion and commitment to regeneration. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

A dedication to fostering, promoting and regenerating the Maori language has earned a Dunedin couple a national award.

Komene Cassidy (40) and partner Paulette Tamati-Elliffe (42) were presented with the Maori Language Commission award at a recent ceremony at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

They are the first South Islanders to win the annual Nga Tohu Reo Maori award for Te Tira Aumangea [being ambassadors].

Ms Tamati-Elliffe, who leads the Maori language strategy for Ngai Tahu in Dunedin, said she was proud to have recognition for their efforts.

''For Kai Tahu down here in the South Island, it's important to celebrate achievements.

''It's being those advocates for inter-generational language learners, which we've managed to achieve as second language learners.''

The couple won the award for events they organised to help te reo [Maori language] learners, including a one-day school immersion programme for children, kapa haka and running workshops promoting te reo.

The pair are graduates of Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo Maori [Institute of Excellence in the Maori Language] run by tertiary provider Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Ms Tamati-Elliffe said they were surprised with the presentation by Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell at the Ngai Tahu language awards.

She was the co-ordinator of the event while Mr Cassidy was the master of ceremonies.

Mr Cassidy, a te reo teacher at King's High School, said the accolade was ''humbling''.

''We're only young and there's plenty of other people above us that have inspired us.

''It's important to acknowledge people that have influenced us.''

The couple wanted to thank Te Panekiretanga, Kotahi Mano Kaika leaders and kaumatua.

rhys.chamberlain@odt.co.nz

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