University of Otago students will be able to get their teeth into the Maori language next week, with hangi set to feature on lunch menus.
The theme of this year's Maori Language Week is "Te Mahi Kai" (the Language of Food), with the Otago University Union set to offer Maori food, and promote te reo through the use of menus and proverbs.
Maori Centre manager-tumuaki Pearl Matahiki said it was the first time the union had offered traditional Maori food and it was expected to be popular with students.
Monday's shopping basket included 200 pieces of chicken, 100 lamb chops, 100 pork chops and 150 portions of potato, kumara and pumpkin, to cater for the demand, she said.
Maori Language Week events for Monday include a kapa haka performance by Te Kura Kaupapa o Otepoti at the Mosgiel Library at 10.30am, and a fashion show at the University Union's main common room, beginning at noon.
Monday also marks the start of macrons being able to be included in New Zealand internet domain names.
New Zealand Domain Name Commissioner Debbie Monahan said the move was designed to coincide with Maori Language Week and make the country's internet more "culturally representative".
Maori Language Week
- Has been marked every year since 1975.
- Maori became an official language of New Zealand in 1987, alongside English.
- This year's theme is "Te Mahi Kai" - The Language of Food
- Useful phrase - E mate kai ana koe? Are you hungry?
Source: www.koreromaori.nz