A delegation of about 20 language advocates from te Puna Reo o Piha’e’ima, Mo’orea, French Polynesia were welcomed into Te Ara a Tāwhaki today. Their visit is part of a wider journey to draw inspiration from Aotearoa’s own language revitalisation efforts. As part of their programme, the group visited with us to gain insights into Whakatupuranga Rua Mano, the cornerstone of te reo and tikanga Māori revitalisation at Te Wānanga o Raukawa. This visit supports their goal of connecting with key Māori language agencies and initiatives across the motu. 

They spent a week in Rotorua and are now being hosted by the whānau at Hongoeka Marae, Plimmerton. 

Lee Ahuuaa Rurua, the president of their association and Toatane Rurua, their translator shared that they are wanting to grow their total immersion centre, however the French government have changed a law which now means all tamariki from age three must attend the French mainstream schools. This presents some difficulties for the retention of their language. The language of Mo’orea is not recognised by the French government, and they receive no official funding or resourcing for language retention and building. They did, however, receive funding to build the puna reo, because of the afterschool and holiday programmes, and the projects they undertook. With the afterschool programme, tamariki are assisted first with their homework, and following that they have activities in their reo in the areas of te reo, pūtaiao, and oranga. 

Their puna reo has tamariki from 0-3 years, and the afterschool and holiday programmes are for all ages. 

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