Queenstown Primary School pupils (from left) Zak Komene
(10), Macy Te Whaiti (9), Isabella Jack (9) and Madison
Reedy (9). Photo by James Beech.
Wakatipu pupils from four schools will perform kapa haka
in central Queenstown on Wednesday, to celebrate Maori Language
Week this week.
The combined kapa haka group from Queenstown Primary, St
Joseph's, Remarkables Primary and Arrowtown schools will
perform at the top of Queenstown Mall on Wednesday, at
11.30am.
The Queenstown Primary group returns to perform on its own on
Thursday, possibly at the Bathhouse, from 12.30pm and then
Earnslaw Park.
The NZ Haka Charitable Trust will dispatch "te reo police" on
to the streets of Queenstown this week about lunchtime.
NZ Haka members, wearing black hoodies with "Haka Chief"
written in red on the backs, will ask people if they know a
Maori word and what it means.
People who do will be invited to take a lucky dip into a bag
of sweets.
Trust co-ordinator Trish Moeke said she was in talks with a
radio breakfast show to go on the air and talk about and
teach a Maori phrase of the day.
Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust, a public health
and social services provider with a priority for Maori,
officially opens its doors tomorrow at the Gorge Rd Retail
Centre.
This year's Maori Language Week begins today and the theme is
Te Mahi Kai (the Language of Food).
The trust is organising a wine-tasting evening for all at the
Big Picture, in Cromwell, on Friday, July 30.
The initiative aimed at introducing te reo and Maori culture
to the wine industry.
Ms Moeke said it was essential interested parties booked by
emailing trish@nzhaka.com, or
calling her on 027 650-3868.
Buses would be organised between Queenstown and the Big
Picture.
A donation was expected and proceeds would be put towards
further Maori language projects, Ms Moeke said.
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