The second round of the Reorua ki Whakatāne fund, which is aimed at promoting the use of the Māori language in the township, has opened last week (Monday, May 27, 2024).

Whakatāne District Council is administering the fund, which is an initiative with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa. The initiative is supported by Aotearoa Reorua, which is a national movement that encourages towns and cities across New Zealand to become bilingual centres. Through the initiative, iwi partners and councils work together to develop a bilingual strategy to create more spaces, places and opportunities where te reo Māori is seen, heard and celebrated alongside the English language.

In March, the first round of the Reorua Ki Whakatāne funding was opened March 27 and sought applications from businesses, community groups and individuals for activities that can support the benefits for the community and align with strategic priorities and goals of the initiative.

That round closed on April 24 and 13 applications were received. Applications included plans for educational purposes, tikanga awareness building, Matariki celebrations, a Te Putake o Te Riri commemoration, succession plans, wānanga, resources relating to kōrero and a pōhiri for the launch of Te Puāwaitanga o te Rangitahi.

The second round of the fund opened on Monday and is available to businesses, community groups and individuals to apply for assistance for activities that will support the development of Whakatāne as a bilingual township.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Manahautū (Chief Executive) Reuben Araroa said the reorua kaupapa was an important initiative.

“As with many international indigenous communities, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa recognise the benefit of embracing the indigenous language and culture as a unique identifier of who we are amongst the many diverse communities within the district. We also see this as a great initiative to bring Māori and non-Māori closer together to discuss and debate our language, protocols and rich heritage expressed through storytelling and cultural site recognition.

“We are pleased to see Reorua continue and look forward to the next round of initiatives that will support the revitalisation of our indigenous language to create a stronger more connected Whakatāne district.”

Whakatāne District Council Chief Executive, Steph O’Sullivan says it was exciting to see our communities embracing this initiative and applying to the Reorua ki Whakatāne fund to help revitalise and celebrate te reo Māori in our rohe/district.