Celebrating Māori Language Week

Celebrating Māori Language Week: Meet Maitai Walter-Grace, Shift Manager at the National Service Centre for FIRST Security

FIRST Security is proud to incorporate te ao Māori and te reo Māori into the heart of our workplace - weaving the values of te ao Māori into our daily practices.

Our cultural strategic plan (te Tapuwae Tahi) is built on three core te ao Māori values: Whakapapa (connection), Kaitakitanga (guardianship), and Manaakitanga (care). Through these principles, we are fostering a deeper understanding of partnership, protection, and participation and bringing these values to our employees every single day.

That’s why raising awareness of Māori Language Week is so significant to us as an organisation. And, to celebrate and learn more on how this week directly impacts our employees, we asked Maitai Walter-Grace, our Shift Manager at the National Service Centre (Static Services) to shed some light on what this culturally significant week means to him. Read more below:

What iwi are you?

My mother descends from the Waikato, so I am part of the Waikato-Tainui iwi.

What does Māori Language Week mean to you?

To me, Māori Language Week feels like a time when our focus is specifically on Te Reo Māori. While I acknowledge the goal of this week is to celebrate and learn new words in Te Reo Māori, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the language is already woven into our everyday lives. From schools to businesses, and from our homes to the Crown, Te Reo Māori is ever-present. Whether it’s a simple greeting like “Kia Ora” or “Mōrena”(Hello or Good Morning), or expressions of thanks and regards like “Ngā mihi”, Te Reo Māori finds its way into various aspects of our lives. You might see it reflected on a welcome mat, hear it in an audio or video call, or read it an email or letter.

How can Kiwis integrate Te Reo Māori into their everyday lives?

Educate yourself and pick up a few words at a time.

How can businesses look to further support Te Reo Māori speaking employees?

If a business employs someone of Māori descent with a Māori name that is hard to pronounce, it’s entirely appropriate to ask for guidance on the correct pronunciation. Making a genuine effort is what matters most, even if you don’t get it perfect the first time.

The same principle applies to any challenging words. Aim to pronounce them correctly and put in a sincere effort, without worrying if you don’t get it right on the first try.

What steps would you recommend to Kiwis that are interested in learning Te Reo Māori?

You can educate yourself on Te Reo Māori at various institutes across Aotearoa New Zealand. These institutes often provide opportunities to experience Te Ao Māori from the perspective of Ngā Tangata Māori (The Māori people). This includes excursions to significant locations such as historic battle sites and local Marae, offering valuable insights into Māori culture and traditions.