Maori Language Day - 24 September
Māori Language Day marks the date in 1972 when a petition calling for courses in Māori language and culture to be offered in New Zealand schools was presented at Parliament. That petition was an important step in the eventual foundation of the Māori Language Commission and to the recognition of Māori as an official language of New Zealand. The day grew to a week in 1975 with the inception of Māori Language Week. Later, celebrations of that week were moved from September to July in order to fit in better with the school year.
Māori Language Day has become an opportunity for people to encourage others to use reo Māori and to promote it. The Māori Language Week Awards which are held annually on this day, celebrate and encourage all those who get out there and give reo Māori a go.
The media, businesses, government and community organisations, schools and libraries are able to enter the awards by showing how they supported reo Māori during Māori Language Week.
Find out about this year's finalists . For more information about the history and use of reo Māori read about the History of the Māori Language .
